France’s colonial past in New Caledonia: Land grabs, repression, and Kanak struggle for justice Report by Baku Initiative Group

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has released a comprehensive report detailing the history of French colonisation in New Caledonia and its lasting impact on the indigenous Kanak people.

The document, available on the group’s official website, provides a thorough examination of the prolonged period of French colonial rule, the Kanaks’ continued struggle for their rights, and the international response to ongoing challenges in the region, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The report traces New Caledonia’s colonial origins to 1853, when France annexed the territory without regard for the rights of the native Kanak population. It underscores that colonial rule was marked by systematic oppression: Kanaks were dispossessed of their lands, subjected to forced labour, and denied basic rights. Assimilation policies and economic exploitation — particularly in the nickel mining sector — deepened social and economic inequalities. The report highlights that colonial authorities used repressive tactics, including forced relocations and discriminatory laws, to suppress resistance.

The document reviews the long history of Kanak protest movements, from the 19th century through to the present day. It gives particular attention to the 20th-century independence movement, citing key events such as the uprisings of 1878 and 1917, as well as major protests in the 1980s triggered by unequal resource distribution and political marginalisation.

According to the report, protests have intensified in recent years following disputed independence referenda held in 2018, 2020, and 2021. The outcomes of these votes have been challenged due to low participation by indigenous voters and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024, New Caledonia experienced a major crisis after France proposed electoral reforms expanding voting rights for non-indigenous residents — an initiative viewed as a threat to Kanak political influence. The proposed changes sparked widespread protests that were met with violence, the imposition of a state of emergency, and harsh measures by French authorities, including arrests and restrictions on civil liberties.

The Baku Initiative Group emphasised that Kanaks continue to face violence and detentions at the hands of French authorities, raising serious human rights concerns.

The report notes growing international interest in New Caledonia’s situation. Numerous human rights organisations and countries advocating for decolonisation have expressed solidarity with the Kanak people. France’s use of force against protesters has been increasingly criticised in international forums. The BIG report calls for a more active role by the United Nations and other global institutions in supporting New Caledonia’s decolonisation process and stresses the importance of upholding the Kanaks’ right to self-determination.

The report also highlights the contribution of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the global decolonisation movement. Azerbaijan, positioning itself as a defender of justice and sovereignty on the international stage, has become a prominent advocate for people affected by colonial oppression.

According to the report, President Aliyev repeatedly raised the issue of New Caledonia at international forums, including the Non-Aligned Movement, where he served as chair from 2019 to 2022. His efforts have helped draw global attention to the rights of the Kanak people and the importance of implementing UN resolutions on decolonisation.

The report underscores that Azerbaijan’s initiatives — especially the creation of the Baku Initiative Group — have been instrumental in raising awareness and mobilising international support for the Kanaks’ cause.

Overall, the Baku Initiative Group’s report serves as a critical contribution to understanding New Caledonia’s colonial past and the Kanak people’s ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination. It calls for sustained international focus and concrete action to address historical injustices, with Azerbaijan’s leadership standing out as a model of proactive engagement in global decolonisation efforts.

By Tamilla Hasanova