Nauru government crackdown on opposition (2014-2015)
In January 2014, Nauru's President Baron Waqa fired the country's only magistrate Peter Law[1] and its Chief Justice Geoffrey Eames (both Australian-based justices). Eames, himself, was fired after issuing an injunction to temporarily halt Law's deportation.[2][3]
In the same month, the application fee for visas for foreign journalists was raised from $200 to $8000.[4][5][6][7]
In May and June 2014, Waqa suspended 5 of the 7 members of Nauru's Opposition from Parliament indefinitely.[8]
Three of the MPs, Mathew Batsiua, Kieren Keke and Roland Kun, were suspended in May 2014 for making comments to international media critical of the government and the alleged breakdown of the rule of law.[9] Another two, Sprent Dabwido (a former president) and Squire Jeremiah were suspended a month later for behaving in an unruly manner.[10]
In June 2015, Jeremiah, Dabwido, and Batsiua were arrested and Kun had his passport cancelled amid claims that they had been trying to destabilise the Government by talking to foreign media.[11][12]
References
- ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-20/nauru-chief-justice-visa-cancelled-politically-motivated/5208540
- ↑ http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/233715/nauru-deports-chief-justice-and-magistrate-to-australia
- ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-20/nauru-sacks-deports-australian-magistrate-chief-justice/5207600
- ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-09/nauru-visa-fee-increase-censorship/5191108
- ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-30117108
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/09/nauru-visa-to-cost-8000
- ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nauru-to-charge-australians-8000-to-report-on-asylum-seekers-20140109-30k97.html
- ↑ Radio NZ - Nauru opposition MPs still in limbo over suspensions - http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/20142835/nauru-opposition-mps-still-in-limbo-over-suspensions
- ↑ Radio NZ - Nauru's Govt suspends opposition MPs - http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/244277/nauru's-govt-suspends-opposition-mps
- ↑ The Guardian - Nauru Suspends Two More Opposition MPs - 5 June 2015http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/nauru-suspends-two-more-opposition-mps Nauru suspends two more opposition MPs ahead of budget hand down
- ↑ NZ Herald - Extra cops called in to protect Nauru Govt - 26 June 2015 http://m.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11468615
- ↑ Radio NZ - Arrested MPs to appear in court - 20 June 2015 http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/276754/arrested-nauru-mps-to-appear-in-court
External links
- Nauru government denies suspending MPs for 'damaging comments' amounts to censorship Sydney Morning Herald, May 15, 2014
- Court delay keeps Nauru opposition MPs Squire Jeremiah and Sprent Dabwido in custody until Tuesday Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 21 June 2015
- Nauru MPs Arrested In Crackdown On Dissent Pacific Islands Report, 22 June 2015
- Nauru Opposition MPs suspended, others arrested for 'trashing' state 22 June 2015
- Government and Police in Nauru escalate attacks on Opposition MPs Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 24 June 2015
- New Zealand Government seeks reassurances from Nauru after protests Radio NZ, 26 June 2015
- Odds stacked against Nauru MPs, says former Chief Justice Radio NZ, 26 June 2015
- Nauru president says opposition and foreign media tried to topple government 26 June 2015
- Former top judge says NZ response to Nauru weak Radio NZ, 27 June 2015
- McCully quizzed on Nauru Otago Daily Times, 27 June 2015
- Abbott government under pressure to cut Nauru aid after New Zealand crackdown Sydney Morning Herald, 4 September 2015