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Julie Bishop to raise concerns with Nauru over prosecution of opposition Julie Bishop to raise concerns with Nauru over prosecution of opposition
(about 2 hours later)
The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has said she will raise concerns with the president of Nauru about the prosecution of the political opposition, amid growing international concern about civil liberties and the legal system.The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has said she will raise concerns with the president of Nauru about the prosecution of the political opposition, amid growing international concern about civil liberties and the legal system.
Following protests against the government in June, opposition MPs who took part were arrested on a range of charges. The Nauruan government subsequently passed laws that could criminalise protests.Following protests against the government in June, opposition MPs who took part were arrested on a range of charges. The Nauruan government subsequently passed laws that could criminalise protests.
In an interview with ABC’s AM radio program Bishop said she had “raised our concerns directly with the president” about the breakdown of law and order in Nauru.In an interview with ABC’s AM radio program Bishop said she had “raised our concerns directly with the president” about the breakdown of law and order in Nauru.
President Baron Waqa was in Sydney on Thursday and Friday, where Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers have been meeting. The detention centre on Nauru provides significant income to the government through a range of contracting arrangements, and Australia also contributes significant aid to the country.President Baron Waqa was in Sydney on Thursday and Friday, where Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers have been meeting. The detention centre on Nauru provides significant income to the government through a range of contracting arrangements, and Australia also contributes significant aid to the country.
Bishop said other Pacific island leaders had also queried developments on Nauru.Bishop said other Pacific island leaders had also queried developments on Nauru.
Asked whether she was concerned, given the reliance asylum seekers have on the Nauruan legal system, Bishop said: “Yes, we are concerned. That’s why I’m raising it. I mean if it were purely a domestic issue and Australia had no interest in it, I wouldn’t have raised it with him, but we do have a concern. I have raised it directly with him.Asked whether she was concerned, given the reliance asylum seekers have on the Nauruan legal system, Bishop said: “Yes, we are concerned. That’s why I’m raising it. I mean if it were purely a domestic issue and Australia had no interest in it, I wouldn’t have raised it with him, but we do have a concern. I have raised it directly with him.
“I know my colleague, Murray McCully, the foreign minister of New Zealand has raised it because New Zealand funds the Nauru justice system, so New Zealand has a direct interest in ensuring that that justice system delivers the appropriate outcomes, the adherence to the rule of law and that the money is spent wisely, but I will raise the issues with him.“I know my colleague, Murray McCully, the foreign minister of New Zealand has raised it because New Zealand funds the Nauru justice system, so New Zealand has a direct interest in ensuring that that justice system delivers the appropriate outcomes, the adherence to the rule of law and that the money is spent wisely, but I will raise the issues with him.
“We have been concerned. We want an update on the prosecution of the opposition members of parliament and we want to ensure that this is all done openly and transparently and in a way that is accountable to the international community.”“We have been concerned. We want an update on the prosecution of the opposition members of parliament and we want to ensure that this is all done openly and transparently and in a way that is accountable to the international community.”
The New Zealand foreign minister said after meeting Waqa on Friday there were matters on which the two countries “clearly” disagreed.
“My meetings with president Waqa provided an opportunity to raise New Zealand’s concerns about the suspension of opposition members of Parliament, and the alleged removal of civil and political rights. I also raised directly the cancellation of [MP] Roland Kun’s passport, given his close connection to New Zealand,” McCully said.
“President Waqa vigorously disputed some aspects of recent international media reporting and gave his government’s perspective on these events. On some of these issues we clearly disagree, and on others the president has offered to supply further information. I have therefore asked officials to meet with their Nauruan counterparts for this purpose. The first such meeting occurred today.”
McCully pointedly referred to Nauru’s role with the Australian-run detention centre.
“A functioning justice sector in Nauru is critically important, not just for the people of Nauru, but also for their role as an offshore processing centre for asylum seekers. To date our support has helped to increase access to legal services, and a recent audit of our funding found it was being used appropriately.
McCully said New Zealand wanted some reassurances from Nauru before releasing the next round of aid funding next month.
“I have asked ministry officials to complete discussions regarding our current concerns prior to the next tranche of New Zealand funding to Nauru, which is currently scheduled for August this year.”
The New Zealand parliament recently passed a motion expressing concern about events on Nauru.The New Zealand parliament recently passed a motion expressing concern about events on Nauru.
Last year a number of Naurua opposition MPs were suspended from parliament. Nauruans have had their access blocked to several websites, including Facebook, and the general manager of telecommunications provider Digicel had her visa cancelled in April.Last year a number of Naurua opposition MPs were suspended from parliament. Nauruans have had their access blocked to several websites, including Facebook, and the general manager of telecommunications provider Digicel had her visa cancelled in April.
Australian legal bodies have urged the federal government to take a more active role in events in Nauru.Australian legal bodies have urged the federal government to take a more active role in events in Nauru.