Transcript
MATHEW BATSIUA: Well look it gives us total relief and exhilaration, I guess. There's a lot of people celebrating this decision. I think it's a big win for Nauru. It sort of marks the end of a very long struggle, but a struggle that was worthwhile for us. We were determined to see it through because we think we are fighting a good cause and one that needs to be fought. And today outside court there was a lot of people coming up and congratulating us and just a lot of happy people around the place at the moment because it is a case that has been ongoing for the last three years. It's taken a lot of effort from a lot of good people to keep it going for us and make special mention of our lawyers who have given us their heart and soul - the Warriors of Justice from Sydney - whose pro-bono work over the last three years has really made a difference and will be remembered in the history of Nauruan justice from here on.
DON WISEMAN: is this the end of it? Do you expect the Republic of Nauru to appeal?
MB: Look what the government of Nauru does at this stage is a matter for them. They have already flagged to the courts that they will. I guess as the leader of that group I can only appeal to let it go. I mean it has taken three years. There are a lot of Nauruans whose lives have been placed on hold because of this court case. We've had a conclusive decision, not once but twice, with this independent judge, Judge Muecke. The government has tied up the resources of its prosecutors for the last 2 or 3 years, so we can only appeal to the government to 'just let it go.' The court has spoken today and it's about time that this matter is put to rest so people can move on with their normal lives.
DW: Why do you think the government was pursuing the Nauru 19 so vigorously?
MB: I guess because the protest was an anti-government protest and that rubbed the government up the wrong way. Some of us are considered political adversaries of the government, so that is that focus, but ultimately because of the anti-government protest nature that led tot he charges. But like I said we have been through a process and a process that the government supported, I guess, through the appointment of an independent judge and that independent judge the government has appointed, has spoken, not once but twice. The government should respect it and consider it has taken toll on citizens of Nauru, the Nauru 19 are citizens of Nauru. We have had our lives disrupted for the last two or three years and I think it is time to let it go.
DW: Through this period the Nauru 19 has been stopped from working. There have had virtually no income or no income. Are you going to be able to pick things up immediately and start making money?
MB: Again that will be up to the government. As you said there is a blacklist, there was a blacklist, there still is a blacklist, and so all of the Nauru 19 members are blacklisted from work. That's why I call upon the government to accept the outcome, so we can just move on and people can focus on the future and try to rebuild their lives which have been severely disrupted for the last two to three years.
