Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the release from prison of a prominent Tibetan environmental rights defender (details supplied) after serving a 15-year prison sentence; if he will publicly support the release of the activists brothers, who were arrested after their environmental protection group sought to expose local officials who hunted endangered animals; and if he will express concerns about restrictions on the activists freedom of speech and other fundamental human rights actions. [46761/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a recent report on China (details supplied) which described how the human rights landscape continues to deteriorate, characterised by widespread repression and systematic violations against various groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1304/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The promotion and protection of human rights is a core pillar of Irish foreign policy. Ireland is active bilaterally and as a member of the European Union on human rights issues, including in relation to China.

I remain deeply concerned by the continued repression of civil society in China, including harassment of human rights defenders; restrictions on freedom of expression, including in Hong Kong; and the treatment of ethnic and religious groups, including in Xinjiang and Tibet. Support for human rights defenders is a key and long-established priority for Ireland. My officials engage regularly with a broad range of civil society and international organisations on the promotion and protection of human rights, including the one referenced in question 1304/25.

Ireland 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 in Beijing in November 2023. Then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and President Higgins also expressed concern about these issues when they met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his visit to Ireland last January.

In January 2024 ,as part of its submission to the Universal Periodic Review of China at the Human Rights Council, Ireland highlighted the continued repression of civil society in China; including harassment of human rights defenders, restrictions on freedom of expression (including in Hong Kong), the treatment of ethnic and religious groups, including in Tibet and Xinjiang, and LGBTQI+ rights.

More recently, in September 2024 , Ireland reiterated our concerns over restrictions on civic space in China and about the treatment of Tibetans in our national statement at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Ireland also joined the EU Statement, which expressed concerns about the human rights situation in China and specifically included reference to the situation in Tibet - including, inter alia, the ill treatment and unlawful detention of human rights defenders. China was urged to abide by its obligations under national and international law to respect, protect and fulfil the rule of law and human rights for all, including Uyghurs, Tibetans and other persons belonging to national or ethnic, linguistic, religious or other groups and minorities across China.

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