Unjust criticism has unified Nauru – President
Unfounded criticism of Nauru and
protests by refugees over the past two months, have unified the
Nauruan people according to the country's
president.
President Baron Waqa said the
Government has become used to criticism by people who are
ill-informed and have agendas, yet over the two years since the
Waqa Government was elected on a platform of reform, the country
has surged ahead economically and its citizens have become more
united than ever.
"Many people outside Nauru that have
been vocal in their opposition to our reform agenda do not
understand the level of cronyism and corruption of past
administrations that we were tasked with fixing," President Waqa
explained.
"Many opposed our replacement of the
former chief justice and magistrate before knowing the facts, yet
these voices became silent when we appointed people with great
integrity to transform our justice system into one of the most
accountable in the Pacific."
Mr Waqa said recent protests by
refugees and false allegations of police brutality and refugees
being attacked by locals were politically driven and have
backfired.
"So many lies have been told yet the
Nauruan people do not blame the refugees. In fact they welcome them
to our country and treat them well.
"These untruths being spread about
the Nauruan people by so-called refugee advocacy groups who use the
refugees as political pawns are bringing us closer together as a
nation."
The President said many comments
were racially motivated.
"These groups falsely say our
hospitals and services are below the standards for refugees, but
they have no issue with our people using the same facilities. Are
Nauruan people less important?
"There is an agenda to disrupt
Nauruan life so that these refugees will somehow get to Australia,
however my message to our brothers and sisters who hold refugee
status granted by our Government is to enjoy life here and stop
listening to those trying to mislead
you."