PARIS: France’s national report on its implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights faced significant criticism during the 142nd session of the UN Human Rights Committee. The session, held on October 22-23, revealed allegations of serious human rights violations in France, with particular focus on New Caledonia.
According to Trend News Agency, Vice Chair of the UN Human Rights Committee, José Manuel Santos Pais, rejected the information provided by French representatives, highlighting several contentious issues. He pointed out that the French National Assembly’s decision in May 2024 to expand the electoral body in New Caledonia, without prior consultations with Indigenous representatives as stipulated by the Nouméa Accord, led to widespread protests. The protests by Kanak demonstrators were met with a substantial military response from the French government, resulting in reported excessive use of force, several deaths, injuries, and numerous arrests.
Santos Pais cited data
indicating that at least 11 individuals were shot, 169 were injured, and approximately 1,700 demonstrators were arrested, with some transferred to mainland France. He also mentioned the two-week suspension of TikTok during this period. The response to these protests, marked by force and arrests, raised significant human rights concerns, suggesting a violation of the Nouméa Accord and highlighting the stalled decolonization process.
The Vice Chair criticized France’s non-compliance with previous decisions related to discrimination cases, including Hebbadj v. France, Yaker v. France, and Cochet v. France. He called for further discussions on New Caledonian issues, emphasizing that recent developments, such as the Marti project, necessitate a comprehensive review of the Nouméa Accord.
Additionally, Santos Pais addressed issues concerning French Polynesia, noting discrepancies in France’s stance regarding its status as a non-self-governing territory, and expressed concerns over the composition of France’s S
upreme Court. He also questioned the necessity of intensified counter-terrorism measures in France despite low crime rates, urging an evaluation of their alignment with current threats.