asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he proposes to take to commemorate the 70th birthday of Nelson Mandela on 18 July, 1988, and in so doing to press the Government of the Republic of South Africa to release him unconditionally; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Release of Nelson Mandela.
37.
Successive Irish Governments have called for the release of Nelson Mandela and I welcome the opportunity Deputy Howlin's Question has given me to renew this call on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
Nelson Mandela has now spent more than 25 years in jail because of his opposition to apartheid. His stature within South Africa and internationally has grown substantially during that time and his continued imprisonment represents an ever present reminder of the ongoing denial of basic rights to the majority in that country.
Ireland, together with her partners in the European Community, has called on many occasions for the immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela which we regard as one of the necessary first steps towards creating conditions for a genuine dialogue in South Africa. Ireland appeals yet again to South Africa immediately and unconditionally to release Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners and to seize the opportunity such a gesture would afford to initiate meaningful dialogue towards achieving a truly democratic and multi-racial South Africa.