Long time resident on Nauru deported

Transcript

The Nauru Government, criticised last week by New Zealand for its human rights abuses, has deported another foreign national.

The removal of a Chinese businessman follows a series of deportations last year including that of an expatriate judge.

Ma Dong was deported without any explanation and just four days notice, while his wife and children remain on the island.

A letter signed by the Border Control Minister, David Adeang, said he was being removed under the Immigration Act, and told to co-operate.

The Nauruan Government is not responding to our requests for an explanation but the police commissioner, Corey Caleb, says he was accused of importing drugs.

He would not say why Ma Dong was not charged and allowed to stand trial.

A businessman on Nauru Doneke Kepae told Don Wiseman Ma Dong was a friend.

DONEKE KEPAE: Yeah he has been a friend for a while, probably ten plus years.

DON WISEMAN: He's been on Nauru for how long?

DK: For more than 10 years.

DW: He's got five children?

DK: He has got four at the moment and one is due this month.

DW: The two of you were importers and you had brought in goods from Fiji, and Customs had decided there were drugs in a container.

DK: Yeah according to information they received.

DW: But a subsequent search showed there were no drugs in the container.

DK: The search warrant was addressed to my house. They were looking for drugs and drug related items. They did the check and they didn't find any of that.

DW: Yet they have still gone ahead and removed Ma Dong, so how would you explain that?

DK: Well I can't really explain that. I believe they removed him without the proof they were after. That's when I thought they were really after me, not Ma Dong.

DW: And they were after you for what reason?

DK: My view is they are after me because I am one of the protestors - ringleaders. I was involved in the protest but in a peaceful manner.

DW: Are you fearing that they are going to move against you at some stage then?

DK: Yes. Any time. Their camera is on me all the time, every movement I make, and everything I say.

DW: How do you feel about speaking to the media?

DK: I am afraid. I have a family, big family of mine and most of us are not at work because my sons and daughters were sacked for being involved in the protest but they just stood there. Peaceful protestors but they were all sacked from their work. I live in fear.

DW: Yes but you are talking out to the media, so you are prepared to do that.

DK: Yes but somebody has to inform Nauru, especially the Nauruan people, the majority, that this government is not taking us to where we want to be. This government is a negative government.

DW: The New Zealand government last week removed aid to the justice sector. It has been roundly criticised by the Nauru Government and the Australian Government says nothing is wrong, they have been told by Nauru that everything is hunky dory - from what you are saying that is not the case.

DK: That is not the case. That is the opposite of it. Living in Nauru, we are all afraid. I have never felt this in past years, previous governments. [It's] only under this government that everything has changed. Even a family, being a family, you are afraid to live, live here under this government.