"I am deeply shocked at the sudden death of Kader. He was a very old friend and colleague in many struggles to do with human rights. My wife Orla and I met Kader and his wife Louise in South Africa less than a month ago and, though frail, he retained all his old passion about politics, justice and human rights. He wanted to know everything about the recent elections here, the financial crisis and the policies of the new Government.
Kader Asmal made a huge contribution to human rights in Ireland, North and South. He played an important part in the formation of the Civil Rights movement in Northern Ireland and he was one of the founders of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties in 1976. For many years he was a courageous and often lonely voice speaking out for the rights of gays, Travellers and other disadvantaged groups.
But he was always most deeply committed to the struggle for the freedom of his native land, South Africa. He and Louise were the founders of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Ireland, which was to become one of the most effective branches of the movement in combating the racist regime in South Africa. He was also a very influential figure in the African National Congress and played an important part in the drafting of South Africa's extraordinarily inclusive and democratic new Constitution.
His importance to the ANC was shown when he became a Minister in the first free government in South Africa. But he was not afraid to criticise that government when he thought it was straying from its original ideals. His death will be a huge loss to the new democratic South Africa and to this country for which he retained a deep affection and gratitude for giving himself and Louise a home when he was in exile from South Africa.
Our deepest sympathies are with Louise and their family."
Michael Farrell is the Senior Solicitor with Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) and a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission.