24 April, Asylum seekers on Nauru lodge a case challenging their detention
REPUBLIC OF
NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
24 April, 2013
Asylum seekers on Nauru lodge a
case challenging their detention
The Australian-based lawyer acting for the ten asylum seekers
facing rioting and wilful damage charges has lodged an application
ofhabeas corpus- challenging their detention at the Nauru Regional
Processing Centre (RPC).
Habeas corpusis a constitutional challenge and if successful
could have implications for the future of the Australian-run Centre
on Nauru.
Their trials were to have commenced today (April 24th), but have
now been adjourned until June to allow the Supreme Court to deal
with thehabeas corpusapplication.
The ten defendants were represented in court today by
Australian-based barrister Jay Williams.
Mr Williams also told the magistrate that he had been refused
access to the centre by DIAC in Australia which has prevented him
from interviewing his clients, therefore needed more resources to
mount a proper defence case.
The Magistrate agreed that access refusal appeared to be in
contravention of the defendants' constitutional rights and he would
seek further information from the Supreme Court on the matter.
Resident Magistrate Peter Law extended bail until June 17th for
the riot charges and set 10 June for thehabeas corpuscase to be
heard during the Supreme Court session before Justice John von
Doussa.
The Magistrate also upheld his non-publication order that the
identities of all ten defendants be suppressed by both name,
electronic imaging or any other means that could lead to their
identification outside the precincts of the court.
Meanwhile, all four hundred plus asylum seekers on Nauru have
moved into permanent accommodation with air conditioning and a
renovated recreational room.
ENDS///
Issued by:
Nauru Government Information Office,
Republic of NAURU
Ph: +(674) 557 3009 E: joanna.olsson@naurugov.nr
, www.naurugov.nr