Minister Ahern Calls for Immediate Release of Morgan Tsvangirai

Minister Ahern Calls for the Immediate Release of Zimbabwean Opposition Leader

Morgan Tsvangirai

Urges African Leaders Meeting today in Tanzania to Use their Influence

Addressing Seanad Eireann today, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D., called for the immediate release of the Zimababwean opposition leader, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai.

The Minister said:  “Ireland has also been to the fore in responding to the deeply worrying events in Zimbabwe. The arrest again today of Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai is a cause for alarm.   Given his treatment at the hands of the authorities earlier this month, we must be concerned about his human rights and his physical safety. 

“I join my EU colleagues in holding the Government of Zimbabwe responsible for his safety. On behalf of the Irish Government I call for his immediate and unconditional release and that of his colleagues.

“However our concerns about his arrest do not stop there.  His arrest and the actions of the authorities raise fundamental questions about President Mugabe’s respect for basic democratic norms, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.   A policy of suppression and intimidation of lawful opposition can only make the situation there more unstable. 

“The deteriorating economic, social, and political situation needs to be urgently addressed through dialogue, between government and society, not presidential dictate.

“I call on the Zimbabwean Government to change course, respect the rule of law and respond to the clear suffering of its people. 

“The meeting of the Southern African Development Community this week is a timely opportunity to address the situation.  I urge the regional leaders to use their influence to halt the descent toward a political and humanitarian disaster.”

Minister Ahern was speaking in debate on Ireland’s foreign policy in Seanad Eireann this afternoon. The full text of Minister Ahern’s address to Seanad Eireann is attached.