Sir, – Congratulations on not featuring an advertisement by Hungary's prime minister Victor Orban after his government's sanctioning of anti-gay legislation, ("EuropeLetter: Hungary's politics spills onto the pitch and the newspaper ad pages," July 1st).
In the same edition, however, you run an advertisement by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland.
Are we supposed to overlook accusations of human rights abuses levelled against China in their treatment of the minority Uigher community? Furthermore, journalists of the highest record with Irish connections have recently recounted their experience of being forced to leave the country because of their reporting.
Press freedom groups are on record saying foreign reporters in China are often followed on the streets, suffer harassment online and are refused visas. One rule for one?
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– Yours, etc,
STEPHEN O’HARA
Carrowmore,
Sligo.
Sir, – I note with interest the full page advertisement placed by the Chinese ambassador in Thursday’s Irish Times. The ambassador highlights the opportunities that a successful China could hold for Ireland in trade etc.
One thing he fails to mention is the continuing detention of Irish citizen Richard O’Halloran for over two years arbitrarily. If the ambassador is genuinely interested in fostering better relationships, the freeing of Mr O’Halloran would be a good start. Until such time, the only talks that should take place, should focus on his return to this State.
Detaining foreign citizens, in what is a commercial dispute, is certainly a barrier to developing better relationships.
– Yours etc,
CONOR HOGARTY,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.