Transcript
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Dame Meg Taylor says issues in Nauru are for the country to work out and she has dismissed immediate intervention by the regional grouping.
Dame Meg has been in Nauru for three days as part of a tour of all Forum countries before the Forum leaders meet in September.
Sally Round reports.
The Forum chief's visit comes amid concerns about a breakdown in democracy and the rule of law on Nauru, and the ongoing suspension of five opposition MPs from parliament. Dame Meg says she had long and extensive discussions with the President Baron Waqa, as well as talks with the opposition MPs, civil society and members of the judiciary.
DAME MEG TAYLOR: I can't say that I absolutely know for sure that everything is perfect, but as the Secretary General, from the conversations that I had I believe that due process is being applied.
Five of the opposition MPs are either facing criminal charges or have had their passports taken off them after a protest outside parliament last month. Two were detained in custody for a month and were released on bail last week. Australian, New Zealand and former senior judicial figures of Nauru have alleged individual rights and the rule of law have been abused on the island. Dame Meg says Mr Waqa feels very strongly about the issues of sovereignty and that the political issues that have emerged will be resolved.
DAME MEG TAYLOR: This has to be worked out in Nauru. I don't think it's going to be worked out by speculation by me or anybody else. I think that this is something that people in Nauru have to work out and hopefully the conversations I've had with leadership in Nauru will stimulate consideration of some issues.
Dame Meg has dismissed intervention by the Forum in Nauru at this stage.
DAME MEG TAYLOR: The situation has to be examined much more thoroughly than my three day visit. My three day visit was to try and get an understanding of what is going on in Nauru. I wasn't there on an investigation mission. I was there to have conversations with various parties, let people talk to me, express their concerns and for me to have a discussion with the chair of the Forum.
Dame Meg says it will be up to the chairperson, the president of Palau Tommy Remengesau, to decide whether to take things forward if at all.
