By Uyghur Times Staff
February 18, 2025
Uyghur and Hong Kong communities in Ireland have called on the Irish government to address transnational repression with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to Dublin.
Wang, a Politburo member of the Chinese Communist Party, is set to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris after attending the Munich Security Conference. Advocacy groups are urging Irish leaders to demand concrete actions from China regarding its persecution of dissidents, including surveillance and harassment of Uyghurs and Hongkongers in Ireland.
In a joint statement, the Irish Uyghur Cultural Association and Hong Kong advocacy groups highlighted fears among their communities, stating that many feel unsafe due to potential retaliation from Beijing. They pointed to recent cases of repression, including the detention of an exiled activist’s family members in Hong Kong.
“Economic ties with China must not take precedence over human rights. 🪧” Irish Uyghurs protested outside the meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste Simon Harris, urging the Irish government to address China’s human rights abuses against the Uyghur community, the group stated on X/Twitter.
The European Union has recognized China’s use of transnational repression, and activists stress that Ireland must not ignore the threats posed to its residents. “People in Ireland have a right to live free from fear,” the statement declared.
Wang’s visit marks the second high-level Chinese official visit to Ireland in just over a year, amid growing concerns over China’s global influence and human rights violations.
