Don’t overlook human rights in China

IRELAND is due to sign an agreement which will make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Ireland.

While I welcome any moves that will give Chinese citizens the chance to visit other countries, I regret that Ireland’s rush to tap the Chinese market would appear to have been carried out without due regard to the appalling human rights situation in the country.

The Chinese communist regime routinely threatens the independence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and continues to occupy and suppress Tibet.

Unlike Taiwan, the People’s Republic of China is a dictatorship, where basic human rights are denied. For example, it is a crime in China to belong to either Falun Gong or the Catholic Church.

The Chinese authorities, through the controversial one-child policy, also deny Chinese parents the freedom to have more than one child.

While opening up China to Ireland and the west is a good thing, Ireland’s developing relationship with China should be driven by ethical considerations, not the desire to profit at the expense of an oppressed people.

Martin Gleeson,

Illaunree Drive,

Coolough Road,

Galway.