I have a Private Notice Question in the name of Deputy Proinsias De Rossa. Perhaps we could proceed to take it now. Would the Deputy formally put his question?
Private Notice Question: - Sharpeville Six.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make immediate representations to the South African authorities to spare the group of people known as the Sharpeville Six, who are due to be executed on Friday next, especially in view of the fact that no evidence has ever been produced to link them directly to the killing for which they were convicted and sentenced, and the likely impact that their execution would have on the situation in South Africa; if he will ask the other EC Foreign Ministers to join with him in renewing their appeal for clemency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ireland, together with her partners in the Twelve, has followed the case of the Sharpeville Six with great concern. The appeal procedure against the death penalties imposed on them ended late last year. Following this, in December 1987 the 12 member states of the European Community made a démarche to the South African Government and appealed on humanitarian grounds for clemency for the Six.
Unfortunately, despite this and other appeals, it appears that the South African Government intend to proceed with the planned executions.
As the House is aware, as a matter of policy Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with South Africa as a mark of our disapproval of the policy of apartheid. However, in view of the very serious concern which the Government and the people Ireland feel about the case of the Sharpeville Six, I decided that this concern should be conveyed directly to the South African authorities. This was done last week on 9 March through communication between the Irish Embassy in London and its South African counterpart.
The proposed executions, if carried out, cannot but further exacerbate the situation in South Africa. At a time when what above all is needed is dialogue and the opening of channels of communication, the South African Government seem determined to close off such avenues.
A number of our partners in the European Community have made separate démarches regarding the Six to the South African authorities in recent days. I have asked our partners if, even at this late hour, there is any further action which the Twelve as such could take that might persuade President Botha to grant clemency.
I want to thank the Minister for coming in to respond to today's question and for the interest he has taken in the recent past with regard to this matter. Would he agree that if these executions go ahead it will clearly indicate that the South African authorities have no wish to play a peaceful role in the resolution of the problems of apartheid and of society in South Africa? Therefore, the Irish Government should press the EC countries to take a much stronger line on sanctions with regard to South Africa and the Irish Government should unilaterally take such action also.
This matter is at present under discussion by the Council of Ministers at EC level. Every initiative is being taken to bring home to the South African Government the seriousness of this matter. I agree with the Deputy, as I have said in my reply, that such executions would inevitably exacerbate the situation in South Africa. The African Group took this matter up at the Security Council of the United Nations again yesterday and the Security Council are today making a further appeal for clemency to the South African Government.