McCully suspends aid to Nauru

WELLINGTON – New Zealand has suspended aid to Nauru’s justice sector in a move that had been anticipated after its criticism of government actions seen as diminishing the rule of law.

Foreign minister Murray McCully told Radio New Zealand on Thursday that issues with the justice sector and human rights in Nauru had been discussed for a number of months.

“We’ve just not been able to successfully resolve the differences that exist on that matter,” he said.

“To put the funding on hold for any justice sector support is something we do very reluctantly, but we are in a position where we think that support is going to be viewed as part of the problem, rather than part of the solution, if we allow things to go forward without any shift in approach.”

McCully says there have been several incidents which have caused him concern, including the removal of senior members of the judiciary, and the suspension of most of the country’s opposition MPs.

There has also been widespread criticism of new laws that restrict freedom of expression and assembly, as well as restrictions on internet access and social media.

McCully says there are a range of other matters regarding human rights and the general operation of the justice system that have caused the New Zealand government concern.

“I’ve made it clear that we are very reluctant to take our funding away, we’re reluctant even to place it on hold. But where the system we’re funding is essentially part of the problem rather than part of the solution, we don’t have much choice.”

He says the ball is now in Nauru’s court and he will continue to work with its governent to reach a point where the funding can be resumed.

Almost all of New Zealand’s aid contribution to Nauru is provided to bolster the nation’s justice sector, contributing $1.1 million per year, paid out in quarterly installments.

McCully met with Nauru’s president, Baron Waqa, at the Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting in July, as well as the justice minister David Adeang and other ministers in recent months, and said he had received assurances Nauru intended to address the issues raised.

“We agreed to go forward with our funding on that basis. Now I’ve reminded them of the obligation that they entered into with us at that time,” McCully said at that time.

In July, New Zealand’s parliament unanimously passed a motion expressing concern about the political situation in Nauru.

At the same time, Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also said she had sought assurance from Nauru’s president that the country is adhering to the rule of law.

“I sought assurances from him that the rule of law would be upheld, that the judiciary system would have integrity in its processes, and that there would be fair dealing with the opposition members who had been either detained or charged,” Bishop said in July.

On Thursday, McCully said he had not yet spoken to Bishop, with Australia continuing to forfeit a harder line amid claims it is compromised by the

asylum seeker centre it funds on Nauru.

“We were the unfortunate ones here who were funding the very justice system that has been the subject of international criticism,” McCully said, adding, “I believe Australia’s situation is totally different.”