News

Irish president rejects criticism over his comments on Fidel Castro's death

President Michael D Higgins has been criticised for issuing a "fawning" statement in tribute to Fidel Castro. Picture by Lefteris Pitarakis, Press Association 
President Michael D Higgins has been criticised for issuing a "fawning" statement in tribute to Fidel Castro. Picture by Lefteris Pitarakis, Press Association  President Michael D Higgins has been criticised for issuing a "fawning" statement in tribute to Fidel Castro. Picture by Lefteris Pitarakis, Press Association 

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has rejected claims he ignored human rights concerns in a statement marking the death of Fidel Castro.

Criticism of the comments in which Michael D Higgins described the former Cuban president as a "giant among global leaders" has been unwarranted, his spokesman said.

Ronan Mullen, a member of the Republic's Seanad, said that President Higgins had made a statement about a man that "many Irish people would find repugnant."

"President Higgins' comments are the mirror image of the attitude shown by American governments in the past to oppressive dictatorships, expressed in the phrase, 'He may be a b*****d, but he’s our b*****d'.

"The president, in the name of the Irish people, has made a complimentary statement about a man that many Irish people would find repugnant. In making this statement he has insulted the victims of communist rule of Cuba.

Senator Mullen added: "If official Ireland now believes that political, religious and economic oppression of millions of people is worthy of praise, how can we claim to be a voice for human rights on the world stage?”

A statement issued on Sunday said: "Any suggestion that the President neglected human rights concerns is both unsustainable and unwarranted.

"The president has discussed human rights concerns with representatives of the government of Cuba on every occasion he has had meetings, in Cuba, Ireland and elsewhere.

"In all of his speeches on human rights the President has emphasised the universality of human rights and has never shirked from the presentation of that view."

On Saturday Mr Higgins said Fidel Castro would be remembered as a giant among global leaders whose "view was not only one of freedom for his people but for all of the oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet".

His spokesman added: "The President's statement clearly referred to the price paid for social and economic development in terms of civil society and the criticisms it brought. This obviously and unambiguously included the human rights organisations and activists who have always had the support of the President.

"The president made a further reference to civil society later in his statement in the context of the opportunities provided by restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States, and the response which has come from the visit of Pope Francis. The President was here referring to the release of prisoners.

Earlier, Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said President Higgins was "entitled" to make his own views known about Mr Castro.

He told Irish State broadcaster RTE the former Cuban leader was a complex figure with a mixed legacy.

Mr Flanagan said: "I very much respect the right, in the first instance, but also the view of Michael D Higgins.

"If you go back over the last 40 years, no one in Irish politics has done so much work or had such a level of association with Latin American politics than Michael D Higgins himself."

Speaking on the same programme, Fianna Fail's spokesman on foreign affairs, Darragh O'Brien, said Mr Higgins' statement was not as balanced as it could have been.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Labour's Brendan Carr, announced there would be a book of condolence opened in the Mansion House on Monday morning to commemorate the late Cuban leader.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams also praised Castro and led a ceremony on the Falls Road.

In 2001, Mr Adams met Castro on a visit to Cuba, where the Sinn Féin President unveiled a monument in Havana in memory of the ten hunger strikers who died in 1981.

At the height of the hunger strikes, Castro said: "They (the hunger strikers) have earned the respect and admiration of the world, and likewise they deserve its support."

Mr Adams said he would be travelling to the funeral in Cuba, which is expected to take place on Sunday.

"Fidel was a global leader, part of the revolution that liberated Cuba. He lived long enough to see the vindication of the sacrifices of his people when President Obama commenced the process of normalising relations between the USA and Cuba," he said.

"Much more needs to be done. The blockade should be totally lifted.

"I have good memories of meeting with Fidel. He was very conversant with Irish history and good friend to the Irish people and an admirer of our struggle, especially the hunger strikers of 1981."

In contrast, unionists recalled the late Cuban leader with disdain.

DUP South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford referred to Castro as a "tyrant."

Mr Stalford tweeted: "I predict coverage of the death of the last Cold War tyrant as follows: 'sure it's a dictatorship but bcoz it was anti USA it's a good one'".