The team of Australian lawyers providing pro bono help to a group of Nauruans facing charges following an anti-government protest is seeking donations to cover its expenses.
Lawyers representing the Nauru 19 group Felicity Graham, Stephen Lawrence, Mark Higgins, Neal Funnell and Christian Hearn. Photo: Supplied
Nineteen people, including a former Nauru president, are set to face trial for various alleged offences, including serious assault, rioting and disturbing the legislature.
One of the lawyers involved, Sydney solicitor Christian Hearn, said to cover the steep cost of travelling to the island the defendants had been helping out but after 12 months, with many not allowed to work, the funds had dried up.
He said the burden for the costs had increasingly fallen on the lawyers themselves.
"So the fundraiser is really asking our colleagues within the legal community and people in the wider community who care about the rule of law within the south Pacific to dip into their pockets and contribute, so there is less burden falling on our clients, and to enable us to travel to the island over the next 12 months.
The fund-raising site can be found here.