One dead, hundreds injured in second night of riots in New Caledonia

One person died in a second night of unrest in the French territory of New Caledonia, Paris’s representative to the Pacific archipelago said Wednesday, where independentists are protesting against a Improvement in voter list.

“One of the three injured admitted to the emergency room died from a gunshot wound,” the Republic’s High Commissioner Louis Le Franc told the press, denying that the shot had come from police or gendarmes.

Hundreds of people, including both police and protesters, have been injured in the riots during a second night of violence, Efe reports.

Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin

This has also been announced in statements on RTL radio Dozens of residential and commercial buildings burned

The protests began on Monday when the National Assembly, the French chamber of deputies, began debating a reform of the voter list in Paris, which was finally approved just after midnight on Wednesday.

This time, Only voters registered in 1998 and their descendants can participate in the elections Provincial of this maritime region of 270,000 inhabitants.

Native libertarians believe that “Kanaks will become even more of a minority” due to expansion of census. In provincial institutions, which have broad powers transferred by Paris.

after the first night of Serious riots including fires, looting and firing on policeAuthorities in the region imposed a curfew, banned public gatherings and closed schools and the main airport.

However, the High Commissioner acknowledged on Wednesday, “Serious problems of public order continue with burning and looting of businesses, infrastructure and public establishments including several schools and colleges”.

“Let me imagine what would happen if the militias started firing on armed people,” said Le Franc, who spoke about “Rebellious” situation in the archipelago.

State representative reported remaining amount 140 arrests in Noumea area alone,

The most important city of the region.

Macron calls for “peace”

The protests did not halt parliamentary proceedings in Paris. Shortly after midnight, representatives of the National Assembly gave the green light to the text previously approved by the Senate.

Since it is a constitutional reform, it must be jointly submitted for a vote by both houses to be approved and must receive more than 60% support.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would convene the session “before the end of June” unless independentists and loyalists in New Caledonia approve alternative reforms.

In a letter, Macron condemned the “undesirable and unacceptable character” of these riots and urged local representatives to “unequivocally condemn all violence and call for peace.”

Located about 1,200 kilometers east of the coast of Australia, the archipelago is one of several overseas territories that France extends across the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Caribbean.

Thanks to the Noumea Agreement 1998, Paris hands more political power to New Caledonia and even allowed three referendums to be held, all of them resolved against independence.

The agreement also halted the census for provincial elections in the region, in which approximately 20% of voters cannot vote.

Considering the provision “absurd” and contrary to democratic principles, the French government proposed a constitutional reform to include those established in New Caledonia for a minimum of ten years.

Kanak independentists fear that this expansion will benefit Paris-related groups and reduce Kanak influence.

leader of Pro-Independence Party, Daniel Gaocondemned the looting and He called on the youth to “come home”.

But he warned: “The riots of the last 24 hours reflect the determination of our youth not to let France control them.”