Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2009
75 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position as it pertains in Zimbabwe; the position regarding a person (details supplied) and those imprisoned with them; the assistance offered by the European Union in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5199/09]
View answerI have set out the Government's approach to the general situation in Zimbabwe in my reply to questions 18 and 35.
The continuing detention in Zimbabwe of human rights activists, including Ms. Jestina Mukoko and her colleagues, is extremely troubling. Ms. Mukoko and two colleagues were abducted from their homes by an unidentified group in early December. Zimbabwean authorities initially denied any involvement in their abductions, but they were located in police custody on Christmas Eve. Despite the implausible nature of the allegations made against them in order to justify their detention — a plan to bomb Harare's central police station and a "plot" to train militants in Botswana to topple Mr. Mugabe — those detained remain in custody. I am extremely disturbed by reports that they have been tortured, and the refusal of prison authorities to allow Ms. Mukoko access to medical treatment outside prison — despite a Supreme Court order — is entirely unacceptable.
The Government has made its position on these abductions extremely clear. The Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria, which is accredited to Zimbabwe, has repeatedly communicated our deep concern in relation to the disappearance of Ms. Mukoko to the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, most recently in late January. The Embassy has urged the Zimbabwean government to do everything possible to ensure her safety.
Ireland has also worked with our partners in the European Union to seek the release of Ms. Mukoko and her colleagues. On 8 December last, EU Ambassadors in Harare conveyed their strong concerns about Ms. Mukoko's case to the Zimbabwean authorities. The European Council of 11 and 12 December issued a declaration demanding the immediate release of people held incommunicado in Zimbabwe, specifically including Ms. Mukoko. At the last meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, my EU colleagues and I expressly condemned the abduction and detention of those exercising a democratic right to express opposition to the regime and of those defending human rights in Zimbabwe.
I sincerely hope that the formation of the national unity government will result in the prompt release of these prisoners. Ireland will continue to work to ensure that the issue remains a priority for the EU, and that the Zimbabwean authorities are aware of our strong views on the matter.
