Nauru issues rare statement after whistleblower alleges threats to non-citizens

The Nauruan government issued a rare statement insisting it is a “friendly” and “welcoming” country after a whistleblower alleged “serious threats of physical violence” had been made against a group of non-citizens removed there by the Albanese government. The defence was sent shortly after midday Thursday, hours after independent MP Andrew Wilkie used his three-minute constituency statement to read claims from an anonymous person familiar with the arrangements of the secretive $2.5bn deal.

The person, who said they were involved through their employment, told Wilkie the threats arose from “numerous conversations” and “were not idly made”. Wilkie read passages saying those responsible had a “fundamental lack of respect for the humanity and rights of the cohort” and quoting alleged comments that the removed people were “absolute fucking pieces of shit” who “in Nauru would be mistreated” to make “very clear” how they would be managed.

Nauru

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