Nauru issues rare statement after whistleblower alleges violent threats against Australia’s non-citizens

Guardian Australia has spoken to advocates and an NZYQ-affected man detained on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru – home to about 12,000 residents – who warn the conditions are poor and unsustainable. Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Guardian Australia has spoken to advocates and an NZYQ-affected man detained on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru – home to about 12,000 residents – who warn the conditions are poor and unsustainable. Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images Nauru issues rare statement after whistleblower alleges violent threats against Australia’s non-citizens Nauran government says its citizens are ‘friendly’ after MP spoke of serious threats allegedly made against former Australian detainees Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Nauruan government has issued a rare statement insisting it is a “friendly” and “welcoming” country after a whistleblower alleged “serious threats of physical violence” were made against a group of non-citizens removed there by the Albanese government. The unexpected defence, sent shortly after midday Thursday, was mounted hours after independent MP Andrew Wilkie used his three-minute constituency statement to read claims from an anonymous whistleblower familiar with the arrangements of the secretive $2.5bn deal between Australia and Nauru. Sara fears her father will be deported from Australia to Nauru – a place of ‘final and lifelong punishment’ Read more The person, who claimed to be involved in the process through their employment, said the serious threats arose from “numerous conversations” and “were not idly made”. “They were said with a tone and gravity that indicated, at best, an indifference to the dignity and wellbeing of the removed cohort, and at worst, an active desire to cause them serious harm,” Wilkie said, reading out the whistleblower’s statement. “I came to understand that those responsible for overseeing the removed cohort had a fundamental lack of respect for the humanity and rights of the cohort. “The threats included comments that those removed were, quote, ‘absolute fucking pieces of shit’, who in Nauru would be mistreated in such a way to make, quote, ‘very clear’ how they are going to be managed for the rest of their lives.” The person said they needed to remain anonymous due to fears about their employment security and physical safety. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The Nauruan government’s rebuttal said the group had free access to “modern sports facilities, employment opportunities and a relaxed, Pacific way of life”. “Nauru is one of the safest countries in the Pacific, if not the world,” the statement said. “We are a friendly, welcoming people and this welcome extends to those who arrive as part of our arrangement with Australia.” Former refugee processing camp ‘isolated’ and ‘demoralising’ Guardian Australia has spoken to advocates and an NZYQ-affected man on the tiny Pacific island – home to about 12,000 resi