16 Dec 2019

'Nauru 19' trial shameful - Australian judge says

From , 6:03 am on 16 December 2019

Australian judge Geoffrey Muecke was brought in by the Nauru Government in 2018 to hear the trial of a group that had protested over the removal of the judiciary and suspension of much of the opposition from Parliament in 2015.

He eventually granted the protesters, who had become known as the Nauru 19, a permanent stay, after concluding they couldn't get a fair trial in Nauru, because of continued government interference.

That stay was overturned and the 'Nauru 19' have now been tried and found guilty. 

They couldn't defend themselves because they were denied legal aid by the court and now face likely prison terms.

Don Wiseman spoke to Mr Muecke and asked him for his reaction to the court decision.

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