Violent pro-independence protests in French New Caledonia

– International news – Tasnim News Agency According to the weekly newspaper “Spiegel”, New Caledonia is a group of islands owned by France in Noumea, the capital of this restricted area. It has imposed curfews and public gatherings.

Previously, there were protests against the planned constitutional change in this area of ​​French territory, which turned violent. According to media reports, shops were looted and set on fire during these protests. This news was reported by the English media “Guardian”.

The French High Commission in New Caledonia announced on Tuesday that in Noumea, shops such as car dealerships, boutiques, pharmacies and surveillance cameras were severely damaged and a large number of Police officers were injured in these riots. Thirty-six people were arrested during these violent protests. The government of New Caledonia called for reason and peace and asked all the people of the region to show their responsibility in this situation.

These protests, which have been going on for weeks, were organized by the Coordinating Committee of Supporters of Independence (CCAT) in response to French plans were organized to extend the right to vote in local elections to French citizens who had already lived on the island. The move, which will be debated in the French parliament on Tuesday, has been strongly opposed by leaders of the indigenous Kanak population, who see it as an attempt to further minimize their influence.

Louis Loughran In a press conference held today (Tuesday), the French High Commissioner called on pro-independence leaders to use their influence to end the violence and warned that there would be deaths if the violence did not stop. New Zealand’s foreign minister, Winston Peters, also canceled a trip to the region planned for later this week because of the unrest.

In the Noumea Agreement of 1998, France pledged to gradually withdraw bring more politics to this Pacific island nation of roughly 300,000 people. As part of the agreement, New Caledonia held three referendums on its relationship with France, all of which opposed independence. The indigenous pro-independence population in the region rejected the result of the last referendum in December 2021, which they boycotted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Do not update the year 1998. This means that islanders who have immigrated from mainland France or elsewhere in the past 25 years will not have the right to vote in provincial elections. Separatists worry that expanding the electoral roll will benefit pro-French politicians.

French President Emmanuel Macron said during a trip to the region last year that he wanted a revised constitutional status for New Caledonia as early as possible. It will be implemented in 2024. Macron sought to re-emphasize the importance of this region in the Pacific, where China and the United States are competing for influence. announced the arrest of more than 80 protesters.

According to the France Info television channel, French Interior Minister Gerald Daronin also said that 54 police officers were injured during the violent protests of supporters of independence in this area.

Since Monday, several shops and cars were burnt. Eyewitnesses reported looting and arrests on social networks. The international airport and schools are closed until further notice and a curfew is planned for the night. Paris is important.

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