The Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has called on France to implement the decolonisation process for French Polynesia approved by the United Nations two years ago.
In 2013, the General Assembly voted for a resolution sponsored by Solomon Islands to re-inscribe the territory on the UN decolonisation list but Paris has all but ignored the decision.
France has said it won't buy into the UN decolonisation process and also ruled out holding an immediate independence referendum as requested by the territorial assembly.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, speaking at the UN. Photo: UN
Speaking at the UN in New York, Mr Sogavare has urged France to change.
"Solomon Islands calls on the administrating power to fully co-operate with the work of the special committee. We note that 30 years of nuclear testing by the administrating power caused widespread atomic radiation and has resulted in considerable health and environmental concern."
Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare also used his address to call on the UN to take immediate action on alleged human rights abuses in Indonesia's Papua region.
He said the Solomon Islands and other Pacific countries were seeking genuine dialogue and cooperation with Indonesia on the situation, but called on the UN Human Rights Council to do more to investigate abuses for itself.
"We appeal to the government of Indonesia to allow free and unrestricted access to this mission in the true spirit of regional cooperation. In the long term however the United Nations can not shy away from the root causes of these violations."
Papeete, capital of French Polynesia Photo: RNZI
