Fears for rule of law in Kiribati as top judges suspended | The Straits Times

WELLINGTON – The rule of law in Kiribati risks being critically undermined, lawyers warned on Thursday, after the government suspended all of the Pacific nation’s remaining high court judges. International legal bodies condemned the shock suspension of three remaining court of appeals judges – apparent retribution for rejecting the government’s bid to deport an Australian-born judicial colleague. “Kiribati now has no sitting judges,” said the Law Society in neighbouring New Zealand. “The suspension of three senior judges – owing to disagreement with a ruling – is an inappropriate interference with the judicial process.” The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute…