The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has issued a formal statement regarding the situation in Kanaky (New Caledonia), which remains under French colonial rule. The committee warned France against the consequences of its current colonial policies and expressed "serious concern" regarding the political and constitutional reforms being implemented in the territory.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the UN body emphasized that any political or constitutional changes regarding Kanaky must be conducted in a free and transparent manner, with the direct and meaningful participation of the indigenous Kanak people. The statement noted that the third "self-determination referendum" held by France on December 12, 2021, took place during a period of national mourning for the Kanak people, and legitimate calls for its postponement were ignored by French authorities.
The UN document further highlights that the Kanak Customary Senate and customary councils of eight regions made repeated official appeals that were disregarded, demonstrating a clear lack of respect for the political will and traditional institutions of the indigenous population. Following the referendum, France has continued to unilaterally implement so-called "political reforms" that contradict the interests of the Kanak people, deliberately excluding them from decision-making processes and weakening their traditional governance structures.
The committee emphasized that France has sought to unilaterally alter the political framework established by the 1998 Nouméa Accord, thereby threatening the fundamental decolonization process. According to the assessment, such actions are designed to limit the Kanak people's right to participate in the political life of their country as defined by international law. The UN body also expressed deep concern over a bill intended to expand the electoral body without indigenous consent, which further undermines the right to self-determination.
Furthermore, the statement addressed the unrest of May 2024, calling for an international human rights investigation into the use of excessive and lethal force by security forces against protesters. The committee concluded that the Kanak people continue to face structural racial discrimination, which restricts their equal enjoyment of political, economic, and social rights. France has been urged to ensure the effective participation of the Kanak people in all political processes, protect their fundamental rights, and fully implement UN recommendations regarding decolonization.
