An advocate for the refugees on Nauru says the island cannot escape its role as Australia's jailer, despite the grand celebrations marking its 50th anniversary of independence from Australia.
President Baron Waqa addressing guests at the official ceremony for Nauru's 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations. Photo: Twitter/ @Republic_Nauru
Dignitaries from around the Pacific and further afield, including from the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Ossetia, have gathered on the island to take part in the celebrations of 50 years of independence.
However, there are hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers held on the island for which multi-million dollar payments are given to the Nauru government by Canberra.
The Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul said, as a result of the camps, Nauru has become known internationally for the human rights abuses perpetrated on the island.
He said Nauru "lost its independence when it allowed itself to be subordinated to the decisions of Australia's Border Force".
Mr Rintoul said the 50th anniversary celebrations were in stark contrast to the conditions faced by both poor Nauruans and the asylum seekers and refugees.
Protesting refugees at the asylum seeker processing centre on Nauru. Photo: Supplied
And he said one of the agencies providing services for the refugees, Host International, has had to divert funds for various independence events, often catering for the Nauruan elite.