8 Sep 2023

After three and a half years Kiribati judicial crisis drags on

From , 6:02 am on 8 September 2023

Photo: Kiribati government

Kiribati remains embroiled in a judicial crisis that began more than three years ago.

It has seen the government try to deport an expatriate judge, David Lambourne, the sacking of a New Zealand judge serving as chief justice after he ruled in judge Lambourne's defence, and the removal of the court of appeal judges, all New Zealanders, who had upheld the chief justice's view.

These dismissals are being l3egally challenged while the government used tribunal, that may have been illegal, to push its case.

The government has local lawyers working as judges now, headed by its former attorney general, Tetiro Semilota, who had been closely involved in the controversial decisions made by the administration.

But the situation remains a mess as Kiribati journalist, Rimon Rimon explained to RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman.