Bertie turns a blind eye in China

THE Taoiseach’s suggestion that China is improving on human rights ignores the fact that no significant attempt is being made to introduce the legal and institutional reforms necessary to bring an end to very serious violations there.

There is no difference between Ireland's and China's obligations on human rights, or their understanding of them. To suggest otherwise is utterly disingenuous.

Tens of thousands of people continue to be detained or imprisoned in violation of their rights to freedom of expression and association. They include doctors who want to highlight the enormous threat of HIV/AIDS and people who simply want to practice their Christian, Muslim or other faiths.