6 Jul 2018

NZ Law Society says civil rights on Nauru eroded

From , 3:03 pm on 6 July 2018

The New Zealand Law Society has spoken out about what it says is a drift towards authoritarianism in Nauru.

In recent months the Nauru government has passed a raft of new laws that limit freedoms and erode civil rights.

The convenor of the Law Society, Austin Forbes QC, says a particular concern is the new Administration of Justice Act, which redefines contempt of court as anything that scandalises a judge, a court or the justice system in any manner whatsoever.

Don Wiseman asked him about the situation on Nauru.

Nauru's President Baron Divavesi Waqa (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Photo: Yomiuri