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Nauru opposition MP secretly granted NZ citizenship flees to Wellington Nauru opposition MP secretly granted NZ citizenship flees to Wellington
(about 1 month later)
A Nauru opposition MP who was secretly granted New Zealand citizenship after spending the last year trapped on the tiny island nation has fled to Wellington to be reunited with his family.A Nauru opposition MP who was secretly granted New Zealand citizenship after spending the last year trapped on the tiny island nation has fled to Wellington to be reunited with his family.
Roland Kun had his Nauruan passport revoked last year after being accused by authorities there of being involved in anti-government protests outside parliament and of being a national security threat. Kun denies the claims.Roland Kun had his Nauruan passport revoked last year after being accused by authorities there of being involved in anti-government protests outside parliament and of being a national security threat. Kun denies the claims.
He applied for New Zealand citizenship on humanitarian grounds in December of last year.He applied for New Zealand citizenship on humanitarian grounds in December of last year.
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His lawyer, Claudia Geiringer, said his case centred on the fact that prior to being trapped in Nauru, Kun was the primary caregiver to his three young children, and his wife was unable to live in Nauru after being banned by the government.His lawyer, Claudia Geiringer, said his case centred on the fact that prior to being trapped in Nauru, Kun was the primary caregiver to his three young children, and his wife was unable to live in Nauru after being banned by the government.
A New Zealand passport was clandestinely delivered to Kun in Nauru, as his legal team feared the Nauru government would attempt to detain him if they caught wind of his plans to escape.A New Zealand passport was clandestinely delivered to Kun in Nauru, as his legal team feared the Nauru government would attempt to detain him if they caught wind of his plans to escape.
“We were certainly concerned about the possibility that the Nauru government would stop him from leaving, even with a New Zealand passport, so we maintained a very high level of secrecy around the citizenship application,” Geiringer said.“We were certainly concerned about the possibility that the Nauru government would stop him from leaving, even with a New Zealand passport, so we maintained a very high level of secrecy around the citizenship application,” Geiringer said.
Kun was kept in the dark about the planned escape, and only found out he had been granted New Zealand citizenship when a package containing his new passport arrived on his door.Using code, Kun communicated to his team that he would attempt to leave the country using the new passport on Sunday.Kun was kept in the dark about the planned escape, and only found out he had been granted New Zealand citizenship when a package containing his new passport arrived on his door.Using code, Kun communicated to his team that he would attempt to leave the country using the new passport on Sunday.
“On Sunday, Roland simply turned up at the airport, hung around in the car park until just before boarding closed; and then slipped through customs. He believes that the Nauru government did not know he was on the plane when it took off,” said Geiringer.“On Sunday, Roland simply turned up at the airport, hung around in the car park until just before boarding closed; and then slipped through customs. He believes that the Nauru government did not know he was on the plane when it took off,” said Geiringer.
“Roland was able to communicate with us in coded language that he intended to try to leave on Sunday, so Sunday was a very nail-biting day for us all as we waited for information to come through.”“Roland was able to communicate with us in coded language that he intended to try to leave on Sunday, so Sunday was a very nail-biting day for us all as we waited for information to come through.”
Kun spent his first full day in New Zealand with his young family, and declined to be interviewed by the media.Kun spent his first full day in New Zealand with his young family, and declined to be interviewed by the media.
Geiringer believes Kun would like to resume his role as full-time caregiver to his three children, and support his wife Katy in her career.Geiringer believes Kun would like to resume his role as full-time caregiver to his three children, and support his wife Katy in her career.
“I’m sure Roland wants to pick up where he left off. Roland has made it very clear to us all along that his greatest priority is to be with his family.”“I’m sure Roland wants to pick up where he left off. Roland has made it very clear to us all along that his greatest priority is to be with his family.”
In a statement Kun said he was “proud” to be returning to his adopted country as a “real Kiwi”.In a statement Kun said he was “proud” to be returning to his adopted country as a “real Kiwi”.
“After spending 12 months stranded in Nauru because of the actions of the government I just can’t believe I’m finally going to see my beautiful family again,” Kun said.“After spending 12 months stranded in Nauru because of the actions of the government I just can’t believe I’m finally going to see my beautiful family again,” Kun said.
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“I’m extremely grateful for the assistance of my legal team and grateful for the consideration of Minister Dunne and the New Zealand government on the matter of citizenship and the issuing of a passport.”“I’m extremely grateful for the assistance of my legal team and grateful for the consideration of Minister Dunne and the New Zealand government on the matter of citizenship and the issuing of a passport.”
The NZ Department of Internal Affairs declined to comment on Kun’s case and a spokesman for the Nauruan government also declined to comment.The NZ Department of Internal Affairs declined to comment on Kun’s case and a spokesman for the Nauruan government also declined to comment.
The case, which is likely to add to frictions between New Zealand and Nauru coincided with parliamentary elections held on Saturday, in which returning 13 of 18 sitting members were returned. Six new parliamentarians were elected.The case, which is likely to add to frictions between New Zealand and Nauru coincided with parliamentary elections held on Saturday, in which returning 13 of 18 sitting members were returned. Six new parliamentarians were elected.
President Baron Waqa, and the influential justice minister, David Adeang, were both re-elected.President Baron Waqa, and the influential justice minister, David Adeang, were both re-elected.
The Pacific Islands Forum sent a team of election observers to monitor the polls, reporting that the election was “safe, free, and fair”, with no observed indications of voter intimidation or attempts to disrupt polling.The Pacific Islands Forum sent a team of election observers to monitor the polls, reporting that the election was “safe, free, and fair”, with no observed indications of voter intimidation or attempts to disrupt polling.
“The people of Nauru have exercised their democratic and fundamental right to elect their members of parliament.“The people of Nauru have exercised their democratic and fundamental right to elect their members of parliament.
“The team is aware of some specific pre-polling environment issues that have been raised relating to candidates’ access to the media, voter transfers, the low number of women candidates, and the resignation requirements for public officials,” said election monitor Boki Raga.“The team is aware of some specific pre-polling environment issues that have been raised relating to candidates’ access to the media, voter transfers, the low number of women candidates, and the resignation requirements for public officials,” said election monitor Boki Raga.
But despite the free conduct of the election, the Nauruan government is routinely criticised by human rights groups for its failure to protect free speech and the rule of law, as well as breaching international obligations.But despite the free conduct of the election, the Nauruan government is routinely criticised by human rights groups for its failure to protect free speech and the rule of law, as well as breaching international obligations.
In 2015, the country expelled a magistrate who criticised a new law that would make public statements that were deemed likely to threaten national defence or public order punishable by up to seven years in jail.In 2015, the country expelled a magistrate who criticised a new law that would make public statements that were deemed likely to threaten national defence or public order punishable by up to seven years in jail.
Magistrate Peter Law said the amendment to the criminal code would allow authorities to clamp down on free speech.Magistrate Peter Law said the amendment to the criminal code would allow authorities to clamp down on free speech.
“This is one more nail, if you like, in the coffin of democracy in Nauru,” he told the ABC.“This is one more nail, if you like, in the coffin of democracy in Nauru,” he told the ABC.