Supreme Court has deemed suspension of MPs lawful
The Supreme Court of Nauru has ruled in
favour of the Speaker of Parliament, that the suspension of five
MPs earlier this year was lawful.
Kieren Keke, Roland Kun, Mathew
Batsiua were suspended in May, followed by Sprent Dabwido and
Squire Jeremiah in June.
The MPs filed legal action in the Supreme
Court challenging the suspension, arguing that it was unlawful and
in breach of the Constitution.
The case was heard on October 30 before a
Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Nauru comprising of Chief
Justice Madraiwiwi and Justices Khan and
Hamilton-White.
Today, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously
that the suspended MPs are not entitled to attend the Parliament
during their suspension.
A majority of the Supreme Court also ruled
that the withholding of the MPs salary and allowances while they
are suspended is lawful.
The Supreme Court
ruled:
"Parliament should be allowed to conduct
its proceedings as it deems fit and if a Member of Parliament is
unhappy with its decision then he/she may use the Parliamentary
process to appeal against the decision and not resort to this forum
to seek relief."