Kun says decision was ‘inevitable’

YAREN – One of the suspended Nauru MPs, Roland Kun, says it’s disappointing that New Zealand has been forced to suspend aid to his country.

Kun was suspended from parliament almost 15 months ago for questioning the actions of the government, and three months ago his passport was seized, stopping him from returning to his New Zealand-based family.

He says it is unfortunate but inevitable given the Nauru Government’s failure to respond to New Zealand’s concerns.

“New Zealand is the biggest donor partner who is assisting us with the strengthening of our justice system here on Nauru, so New Zealand does have great interest in what is happening in the justice sector.

“That the government of Nauru has failed to satisfy New Zealand in terms of the pursuit of their shared objectives of strengthening the justice sector on Nauru is very disappointing.”

“I was hopeful that something would come out of those talks with the New Zealand government. Where we are now, I have no faith in the government acting in good faith from here on,” he said.

“Clearly the Nauru government is refusing to acknowledge the deteriorating state of the justice sector,” he said

Kun’s suit against the government for the return of his visa is to be heard in court on September 23.

New Zealand Foreign minister Murray McCully highlighted Kun’s case in his decision to suspend the aid commitment.

“I pointed out that we in New Zealand have a system where judges can take passports off people if they’re before the court and if they believe they’re a flight risk,” he said.

“But to have the action taken by a political opponent, and where there are no charges laid against the individual concerned, gets into territory we’re not comfortable with.”

Kun says he fears New Zealand’s suspension of aid could impact negatively on him.

He says for several weeks the Nauru Justice Minister, David Adeang, has been blaming him for New Zealand checking up on the justice sector, which culminated in the suspension of aid support.

Adeang accuses New Zealand of being misled by Kun and his New Zealand domiciled wife.

Kun, who is trying to get his passport back after it was seized in June, has not been charged with an offence, even though Adeang has accused him of treason.

Kun says Adeang is the one spreading misinformation.

Kun says he is happy New Zealand has acknowledged the problems with the lack of rule of law and the Nauru government’s disregard for human rights.