12 Nov 2019

Trenchant criticism as trial for 'Nauru 19' gets underway

From , 6:03 am on 12 November 2019

A trial beginning today in Nauru has been called "a parody of justice".

The group, dubbed the 'Nauru 19', which has been facing charges over an anti-government protest four years ago, is to be tried by controversial former Fiji Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki.

The trial comes after dozens of legal hearings and trenchant criticism that the Nauru Government had denied the Nauru 19 their legal rights.

Australian lawyer, Stephen Lawrence, is one of five lawyers who have previously represented the protesters.

He told Don Wiseman that these lawyers can no longer provide pro bono services, as they have for several years, so the Nauru 19 are facing a criminal trial without legal representation.

T-shirts worn by family and supporters of the 19 Nauruans who were prosecuted by government for staging a protest outside of parliament in 2015.

T-shirts worn by family and supporters of the 19 Nauruans who were prosecuted by government for staging a protest outside of parliament in 2015. Photo: Nauru 19/ Facebook