asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will bring diplomatic pressure to bear on the South African government to ensure proper administration of justice in the disputed territory of Namibia.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Namibia Justice Administration.
8.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland takes the view that South Africa's presence in Namibia is illegal and that it should withdraw from the territory without delay. Ireland supported the termination in 1966 by the General Assembly of South Africa's mandate over Namibia, welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in 1971 which affirmed South Africa's obligation to withdraw its administration from Namibia, and has indicated support for resolutions of the Security Council and General Assembly to this end. In 1975 Ireland voted in favour of a resolution in which the General Assembly, inter alia, strongly deplored South Africa's continued illegal occupation of Namibia, its brutal repression of the Namibian people and its persistent violation of their human rights.
In January of this year, Ireland joined with its partners in the European Community in a demarche to the South African Government urging it to withdraw from Namibia as soon as possible, so that the people of Namibia should be able to exercise their right to self-determination and independence at an early date.
While South Africa remains in Namibia, it applies to that territory its policies of apartheid and certain repressive laws and legal procedures. I have previously made known my opposition to these laws and the way in which they are applied in South Africa itself and in Namibia.
The Deputy may have in mind the recent sentence of death imposed on two Namibians after a trial under the Terrorism Act. As the Deputy will appreciate, in the absence of direct diplomatic links between Ireland and South Africa, I have some doubts as to whether direct representations on these matters by Ireland would be very effective. I would add, however, that on 16th May the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luexembourg Mr. Thorn, on behalf of his colleagues in the European Community, and with their agreement, sent a message to the Prime Minister of South Africa expressing concern about this trial and appealing for clemency on humanitarian grounds. I strongly support this appeal with which Ireland was associated as a member of the Nine.
I would further express the hope that South Africa will refrain from any actions in the administration of justice which could further prejudice the satisfactory resolution of the problem posed by its presence in Namibia.
I am gratified my question has enabled the Minister to give such a detailed statement on the position which has the full support of this side of the House. I understood that the anti-apartheid movement here sought a meeting with the Minister—I do not know if it took place—requesting that the Minister would do exactly what I am asking now. I want to make it clear that I put down the question in my own right without any consultations with them. Has the Minister met the anti-apartheid movement to discuss the matter?
I have not had a recent discussion with them but I am willing to meet them at any time to discuss this or other matters that come within their sphere of concern.
I am pleased to hear that. I am sure the Minister is aware that a distinguished lawyer from Ireland attended at some of these trials and that he has reported back to the anti-apartheid movement. I think this information would be helpful and useful to the Minister in bringing further diplomatic pressure to bear.
I would be happy to receive any information on that matter.
Question No. 9 postponed.