The New Zealand Law Society has raised its concerns at the Kiribati government's suspension of its three remaining Court of Appeal judges.
It joins an array of legal bodies from around the world that have spoken out over the past several months about the actions of the Kiribati government.
All three suspended judges are retired New Zealand judges.
The Kiribati Government took this move last week after the Appeal Court had quashed two deportation orders made against Australian judge, Justice David Lambourne of the Kiribati High Court.
The appeal court ruled this deportation action was unconstitutional.
The Society said with the Chief Justice, New Zealand's William Hastings, also suspended earlier this year, Kiribati now has no sitting judges.
Photo: 123RF
Vice-President of the Law Society, Ataga'i Esera, said "the suspension of three senior judges - owing to disagreement with a ruling - is an inappropriate interference with the judicial process and undermines judicial independence in Kiribati."
She said the Society appreciates that this is a difficult time for the people of Kiribati and it wished to express its support for them.
Ms Esera said "it's important for the people of Kiribati that their Judges are free to apply the law to both citizens and the state, without fear of recrimination. The Court of Appeal is Kiribati's highest local court, and its decisions should be respected. The rule of law demands this."
