DIFFERENT APPROACHES on human rights will be taken by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore when they welcome Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping to Ireland this weekend.
Ah yes, the recent crackdown on human right activists, the jailed dissidents, the stifled free speech. All the issues that Obama is currently taking flak for not broaching, despite promising otherwise…
The Taoiseach clearly has no intention of raising such issues and his spokesman said last night: “The primary focus of this visit is to promote business and trade relationships between China and Ireland.
“The normal vehicle for addressing issues such as human rights is through EU foreign policy and, if the matter is to be raised, it would be in that context.”
However, a spokesman for Mr Gilmore said: “In meetings with Chinese leaders who visit, we raise human rights issues in a frank, friendly and respectful manner, which reflects the maturity of our relationship.”
Hello Mr Jinping. Tell me this and tell me no more: how do you feel the oul’ human rights are being respected in China? Satisfactorily, you say? Great stuff. And come here to me, do ye actually have real dragons over there, you know like in Harry Potter and that? You do? Well faith and that’s much needed investment, I mean mighty.
Chinese leader will not face questions, says department (Irish Times)
