16 Jun 2015

Protest on Nauru shuts down parliament

1:37 pm on 16 June 2015

A protest involving hundreds of people has been staged in front of the Nauru parliament which was to meet today.

One report says more than 300 people were involved, despite the government passing draconian laws that have deemed most public protests illegal.

Crowds gather in Nauru

Crowds gather in Nauru Photo: supplied/ Shane Bazzi

Among the protestors are some of the five MPs suspended 13 months ago by the Nauru government for criticising its actions, and one, a former justice minister, Mathew Batsiua, has been arrested.

Earlier Mr Batsiua had said a rally was being planned because of growing public anger at the lack of scrutiny on government activity.

The parliamentary sitting has been adjourned.