This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/21/attack-on-nauru-judiciary-denounced-by-australian-legal-community

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nauru judicial interference condemned by Australian legal community Nauru judicial interference condemned by Australian legal community
(35 minutes later)
Australia's legal community has expressed deep concerns about the Nauruan government's sacking of its only magistrate and cancellation of the chief justice's visa, while the resignation of the solicitor general has escalated the ongoing legal crisis.Australia's legal community has expressed deep concerns about the Nauruan government's sacking of its only magistrate and cancellation of the chief justice's visa, while the resignation of the solicitor general has escalated the ongoing legal crisis.
Magistrate Peter Law was sacked and deported on Sunday and chief justice Geoffrey Eames's visa was cancelled after he issued an injunction to stop the deportation. The solicitor general, Steven Bliim, also resigned in protest. A replacement magistrate has now been appointed by the government but it is not clear who it is.Magistrate Peter Law was sacked and deported on Sunday and chief justice Geoffrey Eames's visa was cancelled after he issued an injunction to stop the deportation. The solicitor general, Steven Bliim, also resigned in protest. A replacement magistrate has now been appointed by the government but it is not clear who it is.
"[The actions against Law are] politically motivated, designed to have the decisions overturned by a new magistrate and amounted to an abuse of the rule of law," Eames said in a statement to the ABC."[The actions against Law are] politically motivated, designed to have the decisions overturned by a new magistrate and amounted to an abuse of the rule of law," Eames said in a statement to the ABC.
The Judicial Conference of Australia, the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Bar Association said they were deeply concerned by events on Nauru and the impact it would have on 40 asylum seekers who were about to have their cases heard in relation to riots at the detention facility in July.The Judicial Conference of Australia, the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Bar Association said they were deeply concerned by events on Nauru and the impact it would have on 40 asylum seekers who were about to have their cases heard in relation to riots at the detention facility in July.
"The existence of an independent, impartial and competent judiciary is an essential component of the rule of law. This extends to ensuring that the term of office of judges and their independence and security are adequately protected by law," said Michael Colbran QC, the president of the Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association."The existence of an independent, impartial and competent judiciary is an essential component of the rule of law. This extends to ensuring that the term of office of judges and their independence and security are adequately protected by law," said Michael Colbran QC, the president of the Law Council of Australia and Australian Bar Association.
"It has been reported that many court cases will be unable to proceed this week as a result of these actions, including the directions hearings of about 40 asylum seekers who are facing trial in relation to disturbances at Nauru’s regional processing centre last year. The Law Council and the Bar Association are both deeply concerned about the impact these actions will have on the continuing administration of justice in Nauru."It has been reported that many court cases will be unable to proceed this week as a result of these actions, including the directions hearings of about 40 asylum seekers who are facing trial in relation to disturbances at Nauru’s regional processing centre last year. The Law Council and the Bar Association are both deeply concerned about the impact these actions will have on the continuing administration of justice in Nauru.
"The Australian government has a responsibility to help ensure that due respect for the rule of law operates within our region, particularly given the arrangements Australia has made with the Nauruan government regarding the offshore processing of asylum seekers.""The Australian government has a responsibility to help ensure that due respect for the rule of law operates within our region, particularly given the arrangements Australia has made with the Nauruan government regarding the offshore processing of asylum seekers."
The Judicial Conference of Australia has also expressed concern.The Judicial Conference of Australia has also expressed concern.
“Recent actions by the government of Nauru against its judiciary are unjustifiable and very concerning for the administration of justice to all who live in Nauru,” said Justice Philip McMurdo, president of the Judicial Conference of Australia.“Recent actions by the government of Nauru against its judiciary are unjustifiable and very concerning for the administration of justice to all who live in Nauru,” said Justice Philip McMurdo, president of the Judicial Conference of Australia.
“The Judicial Conference of Australia strongly condemns these actions as a most serious interference with the independent and effective operation of Nauru’s courts and with the rule of law,” he said.“The Judicial Conference of Australia strongly condemns these actions as a most serious interference with the independent and effective operation of Nauru’s courts and with the rule of law,” he said.
But the Australian immigration minister, Scott Morrison, downplayed the actions against the judiciary, describing it as an internal matter.But the Australian immigration minister, Scott Morrison, downplayed the actions against the judiciary, describing it as an internal matter.
"This appears to be something that is very much about internal Nauruan politics," he told 2GB Radio on Monday. "This appears to be something that is very much about internal Nauruan politics," he said on Monday.
The minister has asked Australia's high commission to find out what will happen to the asylum seekers.The minister has asked Australia's high commission to find out what will happen to the asylum seekers.