French Polynesia opposition lodges petition over nuke tests

7:16 am on 20 January 2018

French Polynesia's pro-independence opposition party has launched a petition asking France to assume full responsibility for its nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific.

Some 2,000 local and foreign anti-nuclear protesters march in the capital of Tahiti in French Polynesia, 02 September 1995, to denounce the French nuclear testing in Mururoa atoll, located some 1,000 kilometers southeast of Papeete.

Protesters march in the capital of Tahiti in French Polynesia, in September 1995, to denounce the French nuclear testing in Mururoa atoll. Photo: ROMEO GACAD / AFP

The Tavini Huiraatira launched the petition at its general assembly in Tahiti.

It wants France to own up to all the consequences of the 193 tests in terms of their impact on the indigenous Maohi people's health, economy, culture and society.

It notes that last year President Emmanuel Macron stated that colonisation was a crime against humanity.

It also said the party is taking the matter to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

While also noting that French Polynesia is on the UN decolonisation list, the petition demands that France assumes full responsibility for the tests' aftermath.

This comes just days before the French overseas minister Annick Girardin is due in Tahiti for her first official visit.