A flag being held by one of the protesters. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
[author:pretoria_gordon]
Dozens of people rallied outside the French Embassy in Wellington this afternoon after civil unrest in New Caledonia.
The capital, Nouméa, descended into chaos last Monday with armed clashes between indigenous Kanak pro-independence protesters and security forces.
It began when a new law that would allow French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for more than 10 years to vote was proposed, which some said would weaken the Kanak vote.
Six people have been killed, including two gendarmes, and hundreds of others have been injured since then.
Organiser Jessie Ounei said she wanted to raise awareness of the violence against Kanak in New Caledonia.
"For decades, the Kanak independence movement has persevered in their pursuit of autonomy and self-determination, only to be met with broken promises and escalating violence orchestrated by the French government," she said.
"It is time to stand in solidarity with the Kanak people and demand an end to this cycle of oppression and injustice."
The group outside the French embassy. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Ounei said she wanted France to fulfil its promises and commitments made under the Nouméa and Matignon Accords.
"We are at the French Embassy today to call on France to remember their promise that they made in 1998," she said.
"I want to remind France that it was under those accords that it agreed to a transition of independence and self-governance while respecting the rights of the Kanak people."
French President Emmanuel Macron is due in Nouméa this evening. His visit coincides with the second mercy flight being carried out to bring New Zealanders out of the city.
