“I cannot be but dismayed that people would find anything unacceptable in a plea for peace and negotiations when the future of humanity is threatened by war, global warming and famine.”
Sabina Higgins has released a statement in response to backlash following the publication of a letter surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The original letter, published in the Irish Times last week, called for Russia and Ukraine to come to a ceasefire and begin negotiations to end the war.
The letter came under fire, particularly from Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik, who described the piece as “un-informed”.
“For the last 11 years since coming to Áras an Uachtaráin as the wife of the President, I have continued my long standing interests on a number of important issues,” Higgins wrote.
“Since 2014, I have had a dedicated section on the President.ie website. This section contains details of activities I have been undertaking including speeches and work towards the implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, health issues, breastfeeding, issues affecting the Traveller Community, human rights, supporting the arts and a range of other issues.
“Last week I had been asked about my letter to the Irish Times, which I had written in a personal capacity, by a number of people who had missed it, and had not been able to access it online. I therefore put it on my dedicated section of the website as I have done for the last number of years.
“Having put my letter up, I subsequently took it down when I saw it being presented as not being from myself, but from the general President.ie website.
“I have from its outset strongly condemned the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and I cannot be but dismayed that people would find anything unacceptable in a plea for peace and negotiations when the future of humanity is threatened by war, global warming and famine.”
President Michael D. Higgins released a statement earlier in the week re-affirming his condemnation of the war, but has yet to comment on the contents of Sabina Higgins’ letter.
Featured Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
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