New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully is being urged to take more decisive action over the deteriorating situation in Nauru.
New Zealand legal scholars, including Sir Geoffrey Palmer and former Attorney-General and Speaker Margaret Wilson, have joined a chorus of voices in condemning what's been called a threat to Nauru's democracy.
In an open letter to Mr McCully, the 29 scholars say it's "not tenable" for New Zealand to continue as the principal funder of Nauru's justice sector while democracy and rule of law are in such disarray, and basic human rights are being denied.
Last year, the Nauruan government forced the islands' then-only judge out of office and suspended most of the opposition from parliament indefinitely.
Local media are prohibited from speaking to the opposition and citizens have been stopped from accessing Facebook.
"The dismantling of an effective judicature, together with the silencing of the media, opposition and even ordinary citizens on Facebook means that the government of Nauru is now virtually immune from scrutiny of its actions," the letter says.
In a statement, Mr McCully said New Zealand is watching developments in Nauru closely.
"I plan to try and meet with Nauru government representatives next week," he said.
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