14 Jul 2015

Nauru's Kun 'quietly confident' about passport case

2:55 pm on 14 July 2015

The opposition MP Roland Kun is quietly confident about getting his passport back, with the Nauru courts due to hear his case next Monday.

Roland Kun

Roland Kun Photo: Nauru government

Mr Kun is taking the government to court in an effort to get his passport back after it was cancelled nearly a month ago separating him from his young family living in New Zealand.

He is one of five suspended opposition MPs who are the focus of international attention amid concerns over alleged rights violations on the island.

He says after a court hearing yesterday the government has been given until Friday to respond to his submissions.

"I am feeling quietly confident, of course appreciating that the court is yet to decide, but in terms of the work that has been put into my case and the way we're advancing with the case, I'm feeling quietly confident."

Mr Kun says lawyers outside Nauru are helping him develop his case on a pro bono basis but visa costs prevent them from representing him in person.

The other three opposition MPs facing criminal charges after an anti government protest also appeared for mention yesterday and their case has been adjourned until the 17th of August.

Two of the MPs, who are in remand, are having their bail application heard again on Friday.

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