The Tactics Institute for Security and Counterterrorism urgently calls on the French government to halt its repressive actions and reconsider the newly imposed voting regulations in New Caledonia. These regulations have sparked violent protests, leading to significant loss of life and exacerbating regional instability. We demand an immediate cessation of violence and the retraction of the discriminatory electoral law.
New Caledonia, a French Pacific Islands territory, has been engulfed in violent unrest for three days due to controversial voting reforms passed by the French parliament. These reforms allow French residents who have lived in the territory for ten years or more to vote in local provincial elections. The Indigenous Kanak population views this as a deliberate attempt to undermine their push for independence.
The violence, which has claimed the lives of four people, including three indigenous individuals and one French security official, is the worst seen in New Caledonia in 30 years. The unrest has resulted in over 200 arrests, widespread looting, arson, and a complete disruption of daily life in the capital, Noumea. The imposition of a state of emergency, curfews, and the deployment of additional military personnel have further aggravated the situation.
This volatile scenario threatens the peace and stability of the entire Pacific region. New Caledonia’s strategic position between Australia and Fiji makes it a crucial area for regional security. The escalation of violence risks spreading instability beyond its borders, with potential repercussions for neighbouring countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The Tactics Institute strongly condemns the actions of the French government as a violation of fundamental international rights. The imposed voting reforms disenfranchise the Indigenous Kanak population, undermining their right to self-determination and fair representation. This move contravenes the spirit of the Noumea Accords of 1998, which aimed to grant more political power to the territory’s Indigenous population.
We demand the immediate suspension of these voting reforms and call for genuine dialogue with the Kanak leaders to address their grievances. The French government must adhere to international laws and respect the principles of democracy and human rights. The actions taken thus far, including house arrests of protest leaders and the ban on public gatherings and social media platforms like TikTok, are draconian measures that stifle legitimate dissent and exacerbate tensions.
The Tactics Institute urges the French government to cease its repressive actions immediately and engage in constructive dialogue with the Indigenous Kanak population to find a peaceful resolution. The continued disregard for their rights and the imposition of unjust laws threaten not only the peace in New Caledonia but also the stability of the entire Pacific region.
