25th February 2003

(Clearwisdom.net) Thank you for your letter of 9 January regarding the Irish Falun Dafa Association's concerns in relation to the proposed Article 23 of the Basic Law in Hong Kong.

Ireland, together with its EU partners, does indeed take seriously the human rights concerns of Falun Gong members. [Editor's note: There is no membership in Falun Gong. This is a common misunderstanding] This is a common Both the Taoiseach and Minister Cowen have raised this issue on a number of occasions with the Chinese authorities. They will continue to do so in bilateral contacts in efforts towards a resolution on this issue. It is the Government's view that human rights are an integral element of dialogue with China. Ireland would urge the Chinese authorities not to act against the principles contained in the UN Covenants signed by China, in particular those relating to the freedoms of expression, assembly and association.

The rights of Falun Gong members have also been raised through European Union channels, notably through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which had its latest meeting in Beijing, from 5 -- 6 March last. At this meeting there were frank and open discussions with the Chinese authorities on the Falun Gong, during which the EU reiterated its human rights concerns.

The EU will continue to raise these concerns at all appropriate opportunities, including at the forthcoming EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, to be held in Athens on 5 -- 6 March 2003.

Ireland has also pursued this issue through the United Nations. At the 57th session of the UN General Assembly the EU expressed concern at the treatment of Falun Gong supporters. Recently, at the 58th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Ireland was fully associated with the EU statement under item 9 on the Question of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in any Part of the World, which outlined our concerns in relation to human rights in China. These included concerns at the persecution and harsh treatment of Falun Gong followers and at restrictions on the freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion. At the same session of the Commission on Human Rights, Ireland introduced a resolution (which was adopted without a vote) on the Elimination of all Forms of Religious Intolerance which, inter alia, urged all States to ensure that their constitutional and legislative systems provide adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to all without distinction.

Ireland will seek to ensure that the human rights situation in China, including that of followers of Falun Gong, is adequately addressed in any statement made by the EU at the forthcoming 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, to be held in Geneva in March/ April 2003.

Ireland supports, and encourages, the continuing efforts of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to examine incidents, and Governmental actions in all parts of the world that are incompatible with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and to recommend remedial measures as appropriate.

[...]

However, as stated above, the Government takes concerns about human rights in China, including those of Falun Gong members, seriously. Officials of this department have examined this case [A specific case of two practitioners in China, refereed to in the original letter to the Minister] and met to discuss it with members of the Irish Falun Dafa Association. They have also met representatives of the Chinese Embassy in relation to the Falun Dafa movement. A meeting took place on 4 February to discuss the case between Mr. Tom Kitt T.D., Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights, Amnesty International and the NGOs concerned. Minister undertook to ensure that these concerns are raised with the Chinese government, both bilaterally and through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

[signed]
Brian Cowen T.D.
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Reprinted from: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200303/10873.html