Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I have no difficulty in agreeing with the Deputy on that latter point. Human rights abuses are a matter for us all. Human rights are not indivisible but are universal and we should have a care for them. Those of us who have any influence should use it for the vindication of human rights because to trespass on human rights in one part of this planet is to trespass on human rights everywhere.

There are, as the Deputy will appreciate, certain practical realities which we must face. The Deputy asked a specific question about what is our adjudication as to the role played by neighbouring states. Our adjudication is that those neighbouring states could play a vital and real role. We believe it is very important to work closely with them and encourage them to be active. The Deputy who, over the years, has given great attention to matters African and dealing with the post-colonial crisis that reigns across that part of the world will agree that, in a practical sense, finger-wagging by Europeans may not be the best way of dealing with matters in Africa. However, we must encourage African neighbours and organisations such as SADC to be much more active in this area, to play a real role and to see that it is in their interests and those of their citizens and all humanity that the situation in Zimbabwe is addressed.

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