Announcements
You may contact our department by writing officially to the Secretary for Justice and Border Control at the following address:
Speech by the Secretary for Justice and Border Control
Published on 16-05-2025
(a) His Excellency, the President;
(b) Honourable Speaker of Parliament;
(c) Honourable Justice Keteca;
(d) Honourable Ministers;
(e) Honourable Deputy Ministers;
(f) Honourable Members of Parliament;
(g) Ambassadors:
(h) Chief Secretary;
(Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen).
1. Good morning to you all ladies and gentlemen. To those of you who have are going to be conferred the citizenship this morning, I congratulate you for your achievement this morning. You will be taking the Oath of Citizenship. It is just not words, it must come out from the depth of truth, knowledge and belief in the Almighty Lord. It is your conscience and an undertaking you to uphold the laws of this country and your duties and responsibilities as a citizen.
2. It is with this, my role today is to enlighten you on some rights and duties of a citizen of the Republic of Nauru. Rights and duties play an important part in the development of a nation. Rights on one hand give you an opportunity to be part of the development process, whilst duties on the other hand obliges you to play a part in the development as part of a nation we all have the basic fundamental rights.
3. The main responsibility of any good citizen, which you have been of your countries of birth is to obey and enforce the laws of the country, as it is said the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
4. The Constitution of the Republic of Nauru is the foundation of all the laws of the Republic and I encourage you all to become familiar with it. Part II of the Constitution provides for the basic fundamental rights and freedoms of all the citizens and residents of the Republic. It is no different to that of the fundamental rights declared by the United Nations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights are: right to life, equality, protection, human dignity, freedom of expression, conscience, religion, association, assembly, movement, right to property, fair labour practices, access to justice and right to a fair hearing. In today’s globalisation and Nauru being no exception, these rights now extend to a right to a clean and healthy environment and collective social and economic rights.
5. As proud citizens of any country, to begin with, we must obey the laws of the land. In obeying the laws, we do not conflict with God’s law, which reflects our moral values. As your right is important, equally you must not do anything to prejudice the rights of other people. Our Constitution gives us equality of rights. In doing that, you have to take complete and personal responsibility of defending your own right, liberty, property and family. As citizens, you must not become a burden but an asset to the Republic, with its objective of ensuring the rights of all people are respected without any encroachment by other people or the Government. Equally, the Government resources must not be utilised to redress rights, as citizens, we must not let that happen as limited resources must be diverted to where it is much needed.
6. One of the privileges of becoming a citizen allows you to have a Nauruan passport. That passport not only allows you to travel all over the world, but it also makes you an ambassador for the country. It is your duty to ensure that whilst enjoying your freedoms of expression and movement, you must not in any way compromise your new home, our country.
7. Those of you who have already been in this country on various types of visas, you will now no longer require that. You have the freedom to earn your own living, be freely employed and contribute towards national development under the right to fair labour practices.
8. Apart from enjoying these rights, you also have to perform certain responsibilities. Every citizen has an obligation to respect, uphold and defend the Sovereignty of this nation. It is our responsibility to live out the national values and principles of patriotism, national unity and sharing.
9. It is the responsibility of every citizen to uphold human dignity, equality, social justice, integrity and accountability. In doing so, we must respect each other, each other’s practices, property, beliefs and social life.
10. As citizens, it is our duty to cooperate with the Republic to protect and conserve the environment and the country’s natural resources. Climate change is fact not fiction. It is your responsibility as citizens to protect the Republic from this change.
11. Amongst many, one of the fundamental responsibilities which you have is to participate in the country’s electoral system. You have a right to vote. This is an obligation which every citizen must perform. The Parliament is the law-making body of the country. Your vote will decide the legal framework of the country so it must be exercised and not ignored.
12. It is the responsibility of every citizen to uphold the rule of law. They must participate in the interpretation of the Constitution in a manner that it promotes it purpose, values and principles and promotes good governance.
13. A good citizen must be ready to sacrifice his or her everything for the sake of his or her country. He or she should have firm and deep faith in the welfare of the country and when needed, must be first to join the authorities.
14. In summary and conclusion of your rights and responsibilities, I will refer to what Mahatma Gandhi said:
‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’.
Thank you for your attention and once again, congratulations for joining the family of the Republic of Nauru. I wish you all a very happy Constitution day.
PUBLIC NOTICE – Consultations on Building Control Bill
Published on 25-02-2025
Public Notice – Consultations on Building Control Bill
The Department of Justice is currently undertaking public consultations on the draft Building Control Bill. The Legislative Drafting Manual 2016 requires broad and representative consultations for Bills. This ensures transparency and participation from interested persons and the relevant stakeholders. As part of the Department’s public consultation outreach, we are now uploading the draft Building Control Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum for public feedback.
We welcome and consider any and all feedback on the above Bill. You may send your comments with a request that your identity be kept confidential. Please note that your comments need to be professional and relevant to the Bill and building industry in Nauru. All persons are requested to avoid using abusive or harassing language as this is a consultation process and your opinion on the subject will assist in the improvement of the bill.
Your comments can be emailed to the Director of Legislative Drafting and Senior Legislative Drafter respectively to:
1. Noumea Loretta Teueli – nlorettaafamasaga.teueli@gmail.com; and
2. Siovia Florina Tea – florinaliu123@gmail.com
URGENT NOTICE TO ALL REPORTING ENTITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS
Published on 25-02-2025
Study Leave for Department Staff Members
Published on 05-01-2025
Camellia Renzo
Ms Camellia Renzo is a long serving employee and commenced work at the Department in January 2018. She joined the Business Registration, Business Licensing, Security Licensing, Import Licensing and Beneficial Ownership Division, also known as the ‘Business Division’.
At the 2024 Public Service Day awards ceremony, Ms Renzo won the prestigious ‘Employee of the Year’ award, whereby she became the first Justice Department staff member to win this award.
Ms Renzo has decided to pursue a degree in Business Administration and Management under the BCOM program at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji. This program will commence in February 2025 and takes 4 years to complete. We wish her well in her endeavours.
Justine Akubor
Ms Akubor has enrolled in the BA/LLB program, majoring in Law, Politics and International Affairs at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji. This program will commence in February 2025 and takes 4 to 5 years to complete. We also wish her well in her studies.
Nauru Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) 2024
Published on 05-12-2024
The Nauru MER 2024 is an important document which highlights Nauru’s compliance with the Financial Actions Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations on money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing. It provides the details of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) systems and its effectiveness that was in place in Nauru as at 16 October 2023.
The Nauru MER 2024 reflects moderate to low levels whilst for technical compliance the report confirms a high compliance rating. Going forward, Nauru will work closely with APGML and all the stakeholders to implement all the recommended actions contained in the report to furtherstrengthen its AML/CFT Regime.
All stakeholders can access the report directly from the FIU section under publication: Financial Intelligence Unit
Study Leave for Department Staff Members
Published on 05-01-2025
Camellia Renzo
Ms Camellia Renzo is a long serving employee and commenced work at the Department in January 2018. She joined the Business Registration, Business Licensing, Security Licensing, Import Licensing and Beneficial Ownership Division, also known as the ‘Business Division’.
At the 2024 Public Service Day awards ceremony, Ms Renzo won the prestigious ‘Employee of the Year’ award, whereby she became the first Justice Department staff member to win this award.
Ms Renzo has decided to pursue a degree in Business Administration and Management under the BCOM program at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji. This program will commence in February 2025 and takes 4 years to complete. We wish her well in her endeavours.
Justine Akubor
Ms Akubor has enrolled in the BA/LLB program, majoring in Law, Politics and International Affairs at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji. This program will commence in February 2025 and takes 4 to 5 years to complete. We also wish her well in her studies.
Nauru Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) 2024
Published on 05-12-2024
The Nauru MER 2024 is an important document which highlights Nauru’s compliance with the Financial Actions Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations on money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing. It provides the details of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) systems and its effectiveness that was in place in Nauru as at 16 October 2023.
The Nauru MER 2024 reflects moderate to low levels whilst for technical compliance the report confirms a high compliance rating. Going forward, Nauru will work closely with APGML and all the stakeholders to implement all the recommended actions contained in the report to furtherstrengthen its AML/CFT Regime.
All stakeholders can access the report directly from the FIU section under publication: Financial Intelligence Unit
Nauru Public Service Day
Published on 26-10-2024
The Nauru Public Service Day 2024 was held on Friday 13 September 2024 and the announcement of awards was held on Monday 16 September 2024. It was a bright and colourful occasion, which culminated in the capturing of great photographs
The Department of Justice and Border Control were recipients of the following awards:
- Tug of War – 1st prize;
- Deadlift – 2nd prize;
- Best female lift – Jerusha Mau;
- Best banner – 1st prize;
- Cultural relay – 2nd prize;
- Best photo shoot/uniform – 1st prize; and
- Employee of the Year – Camellia Renzo.
The Secretary for Justice has commended the hard work of the Department and congratulates the recipients of each award. The Annual Report 2023-2024 is now available for download in the Publications.
UPDATED UN CONSOLIDATED LIST ISSUEDON 17/9/20 (USA TIKME) 18/9/24 (NAURU TIME)
Published on 18-09-2024
The Nauru Public Service Day
Published on 13-09-2024
Press Release – Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Department of Justice Building
Published on 10-09-2024
Today the ground breaking ceremony for the new Department for Justice and Border Control building was done. The chief guest was the Minister for Justice and Border Control Honourable Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, M.P.
The Department of Justice and Border Control staff attended the ceremony.
The building will be built adjacent to the existing building where the Department of Justice, Immigration and Passport are currently situated. Pastor Vaa in his prayers wished a successful building program. Also, the workers of MR construction to carry out the construction work professionally and properly.
The Minister for Justice stated that he had always been an advocate of engaging more staff to be able to carry out the role and services of the Department more efficiently. This building will now house all the various Sections of the Department of Justice and Border Control in a centrally located place. The head office of the Quarantine Section which is based at the airport will now be located in the Government Buildings in Yaren.
The Minister stressed that he is passionate about making workplaces safer and better for the public servants so that the public are able to benefit from better services.
The Secretary for Justice has informed the media that the building will be completed by July next year. It will be a double story building, which will make provision for accommodating approximately 40 to 50 additional staff. The project has now commenced.
PUBLIC NOTICE - Immigration Amnesty
Published on 23-04-2024
ADMISSION OF PLEADERS OF THE DEPARTMENT
Published on 23-04-2024
The Acting Chief Justice Khan has admitted three new pleaders to practice as legal practitioners in Nauru. All three Pleaders are employees of the Department of Justice. They have been serving the Department for more than four years.
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Jay Udit himself, moved the petitions for all the petitioners. The Secretary stressed in his submissions to the Court the capacity building of local Nauruans in the legal fraternity. It is encouraging to see that a number of Nauruan citizens who have undergone pleaders training courses or, for that, matter having completed their law degrees are able to manage legal work, with or without much supervision.
In this particular case, all three pleaders have worked on different areas of the Department. Blossom Lisi Tsiode has worked as the Personal Assistant for the Secretary for Justice for 3 years. Katherine Belong has worked as a paralegal and then a pleader for the Human Rights Section for more than 4 years. Regina Deidenang has worked as a paralegal for the Office of the Public Legal Defender. She currently handles trademark registration in Nauru very ably. The Secretary acknowledged the work of the admittees and encouraged them to progress further with their law degrees to ensure that Nauru is able to have its own capacity in legal practice and services.
Katherine Belong
Ms Katherine Belong joined the Department in 2019 as a temporary employee in the Human Rights division and later as a Paralegal. Joining the Department was the catalyst for more things to come and she quickly enrolled in the Pleaders Course. This has allowed Katherine to broaden her knowledge and expand her pursuits for further education.
Katherine completed the Pleaders Course in June 2023 and has represented the Republic on the world stage:
(i) Human Rights Conference in Singapore in March 2023; and
(ii) Human Rights Council’s 55th Session in Geneva from 19/06/23 to 14/07/23, where she delivered Nauru’s country statement.
Blossom Lisi Tsiode
Ms Blossom Lisi Tsiode joined the Department in 2020 as the Personal Assistant to the Secretary for Justice. She enrolled in the Pleaders Course and upon completion, she won the overall Best Female Prize. Upon completion of the Pleaders Course, Lisi applied for a Pleaders position and was accepted to be a Pleader in the Office of the Legislative Drafter.
Lisi has represented the Republic on the world stage:
(i) UNCAC Conference in Sigatoka, Fiji in July 2023; and
(ii) UNCAC Conference in Atlanta, USA in December 2023, where she delivered Nauru’s country statement.
Regina Deidenang
Ms Regina Deidenang joined the Department in December 2020 as a student intern with the Office of the Public Legal Defender. Following the completion of her 6-month internship, she joined the Intellectual Property division as a Paralegal.
She enrolled in the Pleaders Course as well and has honed her legal skills, especially in analysis and advocacy. After completing the Pleaders Course, Regina was appointed as a Pleader in the IP division.
She is part of the staff at the IP division in clearing the backlog of trademark applications, which is evident from the high volume of Trademark applications in recent Government Gazettes.
Regina wants to further her tertiary studies and keep pursuing her goals.
Margaret Adifaka joined as Prosecutor
Margaret Adifaka Suifa’asia is a Prosecutor with 11 years of experience who recently joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Nauru, on 11 March 2024.
Margaret previously worked with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Solomon Islands. She graduated with a double degree, BA/LLB, majoring in Management and Public Administration and Law in 2010 from the University of the South Pacific, School of Law, Emalus Campus, Vanuatu. She completed her Professional Diploma in Legal Practice in 2011 at Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.
Margaret’s interest in criminal prosecution has always been in the area of sexual and gender-based violence crimes. Her greatest accomplishment to-date was her contribution to the Pacific Islands Law Officer’s Network (PILON) Regional Guidelines for Prosecutors and Witness Support Officers to support vulnerable witnesses through the Prosecution of Sexual and Gender Based Violence Offences. She was a member of the Advisory Panel to the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Working Group and had worked on the Regional Guidelines.
Away from her official duties, Margaret enjoys reading, cooking, gardening and spending time with the family.
Margaret is married with 3 children and has settled down well in the company of her two younger children who in turn have swiftly adjusted well and love their new island home.
Department of Justice Website Officially Launched
His Excellency the Acting President and Minister for Justice Lionel Aingimea, officially launches the Department of Justice website, 19 February.
Developed with the assistance of the Sri Lankan based mobiOs company, the website aims to make essential resources and services easier to access and more mainstreamed for the general public.
Acting President Aingimea expressed his gratitude to all who made the project a success and reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to serving the people of Nauru.
The website was made with user friendly language to ensure that the information is easy to understand, and will be updated on a regular basis by each of the sections in the department.
Dated 19 February 2024
THE HONOURABLE LIONEL ROUWEN AINGIMEA, MP MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND BORDER CONTROL
Speech for the launch of the website for the Department of Justice and Border Control by
Dated 19 February 2024
Mr. Jay Udit
Speech by the Secretary for Department of Justice and Border Control
Nauru Hosts Historic 42nd PILON Annual Meeting, Demonstrating Commitment to Legal Cooperation
Nauru played a pivotal role in hosting the 42nd Annual Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network (PILON) Meeting from Wednesday, 01 November to Friday, 03 November 2023. This historic gathering brought together members of PILON, alongside representatives from various regional and international organizations, spotlighting Nauru’s dedication to fostering legal cooperation within the Pacific region.
The event commenced with grand opening formalities, marked by the arrival of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency Honourable David W. R. Adeang, M.P. His Excellency’s words underlined the vital role that senior law officers play in advancing legal and justice matters throughout the Pacific region.
President Adeang took the opportunity to express his delight in Nauru hosting the meeting for the first time, highlighting the changes in the world following the pandemic. He said, “After the pandemic, the whole world has changed in many ways. As senior officers of your countries, I am confident that you are aware of changes and important events happening in our Pacific Region, which may or may not be directly linked to law, but they set the future of our region.” The incoming Chair, Mr. Jay Udit, Nauru Secretary for Justice and Border Control, extended a warm welcome to all PILON members and observers present. He gave special recognition to Samoa for its exceptional leadership within PILON over the past four years.
Ms. Su’a Hellene Wallwork, the outgoing PILON Chair and Attorney General of Samoa, delivered a heartfelt address during the Annual Meeting. She expressed her gratitude to President Adeang, the incoming Chair Mr. Jay Udit, and fellow members. Ms. Wallwork also lauded the dedication and hard work of PILON Secretariat officers and reflected on the region’s challenges over the past three years.
The PILON Annual Meeting serves as a significant platform for senior Pacific law officials to come together, share invaluable experiences, and foster collaborative partnerships. Attorneys General, Directors of Public Prosecutions, and Justice Agency Heads seized the opportunity to establish connections with their Pacific counterparts and gain insights into innovative approaches for addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
PILON, an organization founded in 1981, stands as one of the Pacific region’s oldest institutions. Its primary mission is to cultivate relationships among senior law officers, facilitating collaboration and addressing common challenges across various domains, including national security and sustainable development.
The successful hosting of the 42nd PILON Annual Meeting in Nauru marks a historic milestone in the organization’s rich history. It underscores the unwavering commitment of Pacific nations to legal cooperation and mutual support. The vital role of Department of Justice and Border Control in facilitating this event signifies Nauru’s growing prominence as a hub for regional legal collaboration within the Pacific region.