Nauru president floats returning NZYQ refugees to home countries, in interview Australia tried to suppress

"Nauru may seek to return refugees from the NZYQ cohort to their home countries, the Nauruan president has said, in an interview officially translated into English for the first time, and which the Australian government sought to keep hidden. David Adeang's interview erroneously claimed those being sent to Nauru were not refugees and said Nauru may seek to return them to their countries of origin where possible."

"It is understood some of the men already transferred to Nauru are among those who are refugees. The Guardian has previously reported a partial transcript, which was corroborated by the full, independent transcript read into Hansard by senators David Pocock and David Shoebridge late on Monday. The Australian government has consistently resisted disclosure of its translation of the interview, including winning a non-publication order over its document in the federal court."

"At least five members of the NZYQ cohort have been forcibly removed to Nauru and are being held at a regional processing centre on the Pacific island. Australian is legally obliged to protect refugees under the refugees convention, and cannot return them to their home country where they face a well-founded fear of being persecuted. Even if that return is made through a third country such as Nauru it is unlawful, known in international law as chain refoulement."

Nauru may seek to return members of the NZYQ cohort to their countries of origin, including some whose refugee protection claims have been recognised by Australia. At least five cohort members have been transferred to Nauru and are detained at a regional processing centre. The Australian government has resisted disclosure of its English translation and obtained a non-publication order in federal court. The government argued publication would prejudice Australia's international relations and standing in the Pacific. Returning recognised refugees to countries where they face persecution, directly or via a third country, would violate the refugees convention as chain refoulement.

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