Shane Ross (Independent)

I raise this matter relating to the Government of Zimbabwe in the full knowledge that Ireland has a proud tradition of resisting oppression in Africa and has often raised its voice in this regard independent of other nations, particularly regarding the oppressive regime in South Africa in the 1980s. This is something we have rightly trumpeted and we now have an opportunity to influence a regime that may not be equally oppressive but is particularly obnoxious and objectionable. It would be timely if the Government took a lead in opposing what is happening in Zimbabwe, in particular by denouncing the dictatorial regime of President Mugabe and its actions.

It was particularly welcome that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was first out of the traps when what has been happening in Zimbabwe came to light. He spontaneously stated in New York, I believe, that he condemns the situation there and that was an act of courage. It is useful that Ireland, with its anti-colonial record can make such statements because we punch above our weight in this area. However, I do not think we are doing enough. It is not enough for the Minister to merely publicly assuage the feelings of pressure groups that are rightly antagonistic towards Mr. Mugabe and then say the job is done.

A long-term job is needed on the regime in Zimbabwe. It was not democratically elected, Mr. Mugabe fiddled the vote in his favour and got the result he wanted. This is bad enough but the use of the regime to oppress the people of Zimbabwe makes it incumbent on us to raise our voices in strong protest. Loudspeaker diplomacy is useful sometimes to put external pressure on President Mugabe but it is now appropriate for the Government to support those African governments that oppose his regime, though they may be doing so behind the scenes while appearing to be friends of President Mugabe.

It has reached the stage that we must use two approaches on Mr. Mugabe. One is to support those who quietly oppose his actions while supposedly his friends and the second is to publicly expose him for the dictator he is. One would have to have had one's head in the sand not to have seen what has been happening in Zimbabwe recently and not to realise that serious protests are merited.

It is not entirely clear what happened to the leader of the opposition when he was taken into custody recently but it is clear he was brutalised, tortured and taken into custody for political reasons. A demonstrator was shot dead and we all know that oppression is the order of the day in Zimbabwe. There is no freedom of the press, no right of assembly, people are frightened of free speech and we must ask what should be done at this stage.

The demands of Amnesty International are reasonable and should be taken into account. It has asked the Government to request that the international community launch an immediate investigation into the recent killings and violence, to demand an end to further state torture and violence, to ensure the protection of human rights defenders and see that key human rights such as freedom of association and assembly are restored in Zimbabwe. This is the minimum that should be asked and there are other, stronger opinions which maintain that, as torture is a breach of international law, the leaders of the Zimbabwean Government, particularly President Mugabe, should be made answerable to an international court if these allegations, which appear to be true, are proven.

It is unacceptable for the Government to make piecemeal gestures and action is incumbent upon us and the Minister, though this is not meant as an accusatory statement. I particularly applaud the Minister for his fine record in this area and it is incumbent upon him to use the goodwill he has fostered in Africa to put pressure on the Mugabe regime.