We have not blocked the internet – Nauru Government
Claims by non-governmental organisations
(NGO), and sections of the media that Nauru has blocked internet
access are "completely false" according to the Government's
Minister for Justice David Adeang.
He was referring to a letter signed by
several NGOs that was sent to the Government of Nauru and
distributed to media, alleging the Government was censoring the
internet.
"These organisations have their facts
wrong and not one of them has asked us directly what we are
doing."
"We have blocked sites that promote child
pornography and exploit women and children, and we do not apologise
for this."
"Surely no one want to see children
exploited on the internet."
Mr Adeang also revealed that the
overwhelming majority of Nauruans supported the Government's
actions, with many mothers of young children expressing their
thanks.
He said claims by refugee groups that
putting a temporary block on Facebook would restrict the ability of
refugees to communicate are wrong, and are typical of the lies told
by these groups to further their political
agenda.
"Those who are living as refugees in Nauru
have complete access to all communications including phone,
internet, email and a myriad of social media
platforms."
"They are free to live as any other
citizen of Nauru and their communication has not been restricted at
all."
He said the Government has serious
concerns about children in Nauru being exploited on Facebook and
had met, and is continuing to meet, with Facebook officials over
the matter.
"The Facebook representatives were
cooperative and recognised the issues we face as a very small
community where pornography that can be used to harass families,
women and children is socially destabilising."
The minister said that criticising Nauru
for protecting vulnerable children is absurd. "It's time that media
outlets in Australia and New Zealand who love to use Nauru as a
punching bag got their facts straight, instead of propagating
misinformation."
"The internet in Nauru is completely open
except for those pornographic sites."
Mr Adeang said the Government has
clarified this in the past with media outlets yet some still
continue to spread untruths.