Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the cases related to the persecution of Christians in China (details supplied); if this has been raised by the Minister at any diplomatic level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29335/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. The protection and promotion of universal human rights is one of Ireland’s core foreign policy priorities.

The Government regularly raises concerns regarding human rights with China, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. I raised Ireland’s long-held concerns about these matters when I met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to Dublin in February.

In addition to our bilateral engagement, Ireland also addresses human rights in China as a member of the European Union. At the 39th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, in June 2024, the EU raised the issues of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly as well as freedom of religion or belief in China and called for the release of individuals deprived of their liberty for exercising their right of the freedom of religion or belief, including Pastor Wang Yi. The next EU-China Human Rights dialogue will take place in Brussels on 13 June 2025, where the issue of freedom of religion or belief will once again be on the agenda.

The case of Pastor Wang Yi has also been consistently mentioned in EU statements at the UN Human Rights Council, supported by Ireland and all Member States, including most recently at the 58th session of the HRC in March 2025.

Ireland will continue to address human rights concerns with China, both through the EU and in our bilateral contacts in both Dublin and Beijing and through the relevant multilateral channels.