Nauru 19' trial a 'blight on justice' - NZ Law Society

The trial of 15 people without legal representation in Nauru's Supreme Court has been called an "extraordinary breach" of individual rights and the rule of law.

The New Zealand Law Society's Rule of Law Committee said the trial of the group of anti-government protesters, dubbed the 'Nauru 19', was bordering on a sham.

The 'Nauru 19', which is now down to 15, are charged with rioting and disturbing the Legislature after a protest against government corruption outside Nauru's Parliament in June 2015.

The Law Society's committee convenor, Austin Forbes QC, said the criminal charges against the group had been a "blight on justice" in the Pacific for the last four years.