13 Dec 2019

'Appalling' Nauru trial all about politics - lawyer

From , 5:01 am on 13 December 2019

The last of the group of Nauru anti government protesters, charged over a protest more than four years ago, have been convicted and placed in custody.

Last year, the group, which became known as the 'Nauru 19' was granted a permanent stay on the charges when an Australian judge said they could never get a fair trial given the government's interference in the judicial process.

That stay was overturned, however, and another judge, Fiji's Daniel Fatiaki, was appointed.

In the trial in the Supreme Court they were denied legal representation, which the Judge Fatiaki ruled was not a requirement under Nauru law.

Australian barrister, Stephen Lawrence, is one of a team of lawyers, who for years have provided free legal services to the Nauru 19, but they were not able to continue this pro bono work into this  trial.

He says the outcome of the trial is appalling.

Don Wiseman began by asking Mr Lawrence what they have been convicted of.

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