Protests broke out, France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia
Protests broke out, France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia
Violent protests broke out against electoral reform, police were killed and three people died, France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia, the Washington Post reported. A state of emergency was declared on the Pacific island of Lidonia.
It is worth noting that New Caledonia is a French overseas territory, hundreds of kilometers off the east coast of Australia.
The violence is the worst in years and the latest flashpoint in long-running tensions over Paris's role in the archipelago. "On behalf of the government, I once again ask for peace and comfort," government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said at a press conference following the management meeting on Wednesday,
. It called for "the resumption of political dialogue to find a solution to the violence."
The state of emergency in Noumea, the island's capital, began between 20:00 in the evening (Paris time) and 5:00 in the morning on Wednesday.
According to French law, a state of emergency can be declared if "a serious crime committed against the public endangers the situation".
According to the Washington Post, this gives local police more powers, such as cutting off public access to certain areas, as well as entering that area to investigate and protect certain individuals primarily deemed a threat to public safety.
In the statement made on Wednesday by the office of French President Macron, it was stated that "any act of violence is unacceptable and will be responded to with a decision to return the verdict."
In response to the violent attack, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said: "New Caledonia has been affected by an unprecedented crisis since the beginning of this week, adding that the state of emergency "will allow us to take serious measures" to restore order.
https ://x.com/GabrielAttal/status/1790843748928135470
The debate began on Monday as French lawmakers prepared to vote on a resolution to expand voting rights in the territory, but critics believe it could alienate indigenous Kanak people and benefit the French government. Congress passed the amendment overnight.
However, according to Voice of America, both judicial branches must have a final vote for the bill to become law.
According to Washington Post, the group representing the Kanak people, who make up 40 percent of the 300,000 population in the region, has been seeking independence for a long time, while the grandchildren of Europeans want to live in France.
1998 The Nouméa Accords, which helped end a decade of conflict, restricted the right to vote for Kanaks and people born before 1998. People who have lived there for 10 years vote in elections held in the village - reducing Kanak power.
Voice of America said one woman told Caledonian TV: "We feel oppressed, we're angry." French President and Minister of Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs Gerald Darmanin told RTL French radio early on Wednesday that "hundreds" of people were injured, including around 100 police officers and police officers, who were attacked by their soldiers with live ammunition and ammunition.
"Be careful to go back," he said. "Hundreds of people were injured in New Caledonia, and many homes and businesses were destroyed and burned.
At least 130 people were arrested, the French Ministry of Justice announced on Wednesday. It also reported that there had been "many" cases of arson and looting in workplaces, infrastructures and public buildings. The representative added that there was a "jailbreak" attempt.
The French government announced that it will appoint additional civil servants and police.
French authorities also imposed a night rule and banned protests in the city of Noumea. New Caledonia's Tontoota International Airport is closed to commercial flights.
Mineral-rich New Caledonia was annexed by France in 1853 and all its inhabitants received French citizenship in 1957. Yes, tensions over independence have been rising for years.
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