Bodies representing Australian lawyers say the apparent lack of due process on Nauru is a direct affront to fundamental legal principles.
The Law Council of Australia and the Australian Bar Association were reacting to the sacking and deportation of Nauru's resident magistrate and the denial of a visa for the island's Chief Justice to return to the country.
The bodies say an independent, impartial and competent judiciary is an essential component of the rule of law and judges' independence and security need to be protected.
They say they are deeply concerned about the impact on the continuing administration of justice in Nauru and have highlighted the responsibility of the Australian Government to help ensure due respect for the rule of law operates within the region, particularly given Canberra's arrangements regarding the offshore processing of asylum seekers.
