Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Unrest in New Caledonia after activists taken to France for detention

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Jun 2024 09:17
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The transfer of seven detainees 17,000 kilometers away on charges related to deadly unrest has been criticized as "political deportation."

Listen
  • x
  • A pro-independence supporter holds a flag of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) during a rally in support of the independence activists who were arrested. (AFP/Getty Images
    A pro-independence supporter holds a flag of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) during a rally in support of the independence activists who were arrested. (AFP/Getty Images)

Authorities reported that several buildings, including a police station and a town hall, were set on fire overnight in New Caledonia, as the French Pacific territory experienced a fresh wave of unrest.

This surge follows the transfer of seven independence activists, associated with a group accused of inciting deadly riots in the territory last month, to mainland France for pre-trial detention, according to a local prosecutor.

Christian Tein, an Indigenous Kanak leader of the pro-independence party known as The Field Action Coordination Unit, was flown to mainland France overnight Saturday, along with six other activists, prosecutor Yves Dupas said in a statement.

The seven Kanak activists were transferred to pretrial detention on “a specially chartered plane” because of “the sensitivity of the procedure,” Dupas stressed.

Moving the detained activists into custody 17,000 kilometers (10,500 miles) away from their homeland would allow the investigation into their alleged actions to continue “in a calm manner and without any pressure,” he further claimed.

“This transfer was organized during the night by means of a plane specially chartered for the mission,” prosecutor Yves Dupas detailed.

New Caledonia, with a population of about 270,000, has been rocked by unrest since May 13, sparked by French plans to impose new rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.

Why it matters

Related News

France announces State of New Caledonia, except with a twist

Curfew lifted in New Caledonia over 6 months after violent riots

The transfer of some defendants to detention centers in France has outraged independence activists, who labeled it a "political deportation."

Last month, riots erupted in New Caledonia in response to the electoral reform. The Indigenous Kanaks of the archipelago feared that the move would dilute their vote, undermining their hopes of ultimately achieving independence. The violence led to nine deaths, including two police officers, and caused widespread damage to businesses, shops, and homes.

Daniel Goa, president of the Union Calédonienne, the main independence party, said the transfer of the arrested activists to France was “political deportation”.

“The independence of the judiciary is a farce in New Caledonia,” said Goa.

Goa also criticized “France’s colonial, repressive, and retrograde policy against the Kanak people.”

Following a frantic campaign period for snap parliamentary elections in France, President Emmanuel Macron halted the modifications to voting rights in New Caledonia. However, the recent arrests risk exacerbating the rifts in the archipelago's political scene ahead of the elections' first round scheduled for June 30. Political leaders across all factions in New Caledonia have unanimously criticized the timing of these elections. 

The big picture

New Caledonia has been a French territory since the mid-1800s. Almost two centuries on, its politics remain dominated by debate about whether the islands should be part of France, autonomous or independent.

Indigenous Kanaks make up about 39% of the population but tend to be poorer and have fewer years of schooling than European Caledonians.

It is worth noting that the territory contains roughly 10% of the world's total nickel reserve and is rich in resources. 

Read next: France to curb New Caledonia independence protests 'whatever the cost'

  • New Caledonia
  • France
  • Colonialism
  • activists

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS