A new wave of unrest has hit New Caledonia amid warnings the decision to send seven activists charged over deadly riots to France has mobilised pro-independence supporters.
More violent unrest has erupted in New Caledonia following a decision by French authorities to transfer pro-independence activists 17,000km away for detention.While the seven activists are in pre-trial detention in France, there are fears that unrest is spreading outside New Caledonia's capital city.
Pro-independence supporters hold flags of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front and a banner reading "Free our activists, stop repression" during a rally in support of activists arrested in New Caledonia.Political and legal observers say the decision violated rights — including the right to respect for family life — and took a colonial approach that would only intensify the turmoil in the Pacific territory.
Among the pro-independence activists transferred to France is Christian Tein, an Indigenous Kanak leader of the Field Action Coordination Unit , which the French government has accused of orchestrating violence. Thomas Gruet, who is representing CCAT communications chief Brenda Wanabo, said his client would also be sent to France along with group members arrested in New Caledonia on Wednesday last week.
It also said that "the premises and vehicles of the municipal police and private vehicles" were set on fire, and that police in Maré had also been attacked. Experts and observers say the discord in New Caledonia has built amid a deepening economic divide and a prolonged stalemate over the future of its status as a French territory.University of Sydney expert in New Caledonia history and politics John Connell said he had not seen a similar decision before in the Pacific territory.
"Justice was a colonial parody. The deportations were decided in advance, with a plane waiting on the tarmac at airport," he said.
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