Minister Dermot Ahern condemns violence in Zimbabwe

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D. condemned the actions of the Zimbabwean police at a peaceful church-sponsored rally organised by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign on Sunday 11 March, which resulted in one death.

The Minister said, ‘I am shocked at the severe injuries which the opposition leaders and demonstrators sustained in custody, and I sympathise with the family of the individual who was killed.’

The Minister continued, ‘The Zimbabwean government must cease suppressing the basic fundamental rights of its people. A new approach, which includes dialogue between all political forces, is needed to resolve Zimbabwe’s serious political, social and economic problems. Now is the time for the international community, including the EU and the members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to work together to help bring about peaceful change in Zimbabwe.’

‘I am also very conscious of the suffering caused by the dire economic situation in the country. Irish Aid is continuing to provide assistance for the people of Zimbabwe, through NGO partners and through UN agencies.’

Note for editors:

Total Irish Aid funding to the Zimbabwean people in 2006 amounted to over €8 million, concentrated on support to the fight against HIV/AIDS, civil society, and food aid and humanitarian relief.

This funding was delivered through UN agencies and the International Organisation for Migration, as well as through Irish and Zimbabwean Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).