New caledonia: The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) has released an official report addressing the conduct of French security forces and the judiciary during protests in Kanaki, New Caledonia, on January 29.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the report highlights systemic issues in the actions of French authorities, particularly the disproportionate use of force against the Kanak people.

The report criticizes the French judicial system's response, noting the deployment of up to 6,000 police and gendarmes in the archipelago, which has a population of about 260,000. Approximately 2,528 individuals were detained, and more than 500 were sentenced in connection with violent incidents. The CNCDH emphasized inconsistencies in law enforcement and judicial actions against Kanak demonstrators, citing violations of legal procedures and France's international obligations.

Tartakowsky, co-rapporteur of the report, pointed out numerous shortcomings in state institutions' structural, legal, and operational activities. The commission condemned the repressive measures targeted exclusively at the Kanak population and examined the harsh prison conditions faced by illegally detained Kanak prisoners. The report detailed inhuman treatment in prisons, including a case of a prisoner killed by security forces, supported by eyewitness testimony.

The commission stated that prisoners transferred from French overseas territories to France face severe hardships, such as separation from families, lack of adequate clothing, and insufficient post-release support. Additionally, the report highlighted the economic damage in Kanaki due to the riots and the suspension of social programs following the crisis.

In its conclusion, the commission urged authorities to conduct independent investigations into police violence and to improve detention conditions in accordance with international human rights standards.