Kader Asmal – Sinn Féin tribute to anti-apartheid and human rights activist

Kader Asmal

CONDOLENCES have been extended by Gerry Adams TD on behalf of Sinn Féin to the family, friends and comrades of South African former government minister Kader Asmal (76), who died at his home in Cape Town on Wednesday. Kader spent almost 30 years in exile in Ireland during the apartheid regime’s rule and led the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement as well being a civil rights activist here. He was a law lecturer at Trinity College Dublin.

When he returned to South Africa after the toppling of apartheid, he became a minister in the ANC Government. His loyalty to the freedom struggle never stifled his critical voice in the cause of civil liberties and good governance.

Gerry Adams said he had heard of Kader’s death “with great sadness”.

On behalf of Sinn Féin I want to extend my sincere condolences to his wife, Louise, his two sons, his grandchildren and also to the ANC and the people of South Africa on whose behalf he worked tirelessly for many years.

I met Kader many times in Ireland and in South Africa when he was first the Minister of Water Affairs and later when he was Education Minister.

He was a loyal and active member of the national executive of the African National Congress and a fearless human rights champion.

Kader devoted his life to ending apartheid and building a new society in South Africa reflective of all its citizens.

Turning to Kader’s activism in Ireland, the Sinn Féin leader continued:

He was a founder of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement and as a human rights lawyer he fought repression wherever he found it.

D'oibrigh Kader Asmal in Éirinn ar son a phobal i nDeisceart na hAfraice a bhí faoi ionsaí, faoi ghéarleanúint, faoi chiapadh faoin córas apartheid ansin le blianta fada.

Bhí Kader an-gníomhach freisin ins an obair in Éirinn ag am a bhain le géarleanúint i dtuaisceart na hÉireann agus cúrsaí cearta daonna a h-ardú le cibé rialtas a bhí i réim.

I first met Kader here in Ireland where he worked for nearly 30 years.  Here too he was a champion for human rights. He was a vigorous opponent of British injustice in the North and his work on British state killings in the North, in which he identified almost 400 victims, was ground-breaking.

His work in the Irish Council for Civil Liberties was instrumental in highlighting the repressive nature of legislation such as the Offences Against the State Act.

Seolaim mo comhbhrón le Louise, a dá mac, garmhic, agus go háirithe chuig an pobal i nDeisceart na h-Afraice atá tar éis é a chailliúint inniu.

To Louise and his family and friends at home and internationally I extend solidarity on the loss of a great advocate for equality and human rights.

Suaimhneas síoraí dó.