UNHRC member lashes out at France over human rights abuses during New Caledonia unrest

Tijana Šurlan, a Serbian professor and member of the UN Human Rights Committee, has sharply criticized the human rights situation in France.

During the 142nd session of the UN Human Rights Committee, Šurlan questioned French representatives about the injuries sustained by protesters due to excessive use of force during the riots that erupted in New Caledonia in May 2024, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“It is crucial to provide timely and accurate information regarding completed disciplinary and criminal cases, judicial decisions, charges filed, and punishments applied to law enforcement officers who have abused their powers. This is necessary to restore trust in the system,” she stated. 

Šurlan also highlighted obstacles that hinder the full exercise of the new right to appeal, complicating the achievement of positive outcomes. 

“There remain serious concerns regarding overcrowding in penal institutions both in France and its overseas territories, as well as inhumane conditions of detention there. In 2021, it was emphasized that the conditions of confinement were inhumane; thus, we would like to know how the state conveys information about incarcerated individuals,” she added. 

Days of unrest in the French Pacific territory – sparked by a plan to change voting rules – have left five dead

Šurlan's remarks underscore the pressing need for France to address these critical human rights issues to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in its legal and correctional systems.

It is essential to recall that in May 2024, New Caledonia experienced significant unrest that resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, primarily among the indigenous Kanak population, as well as injuries to 169 others and over 2,600 arrests. The riots erupted following peaceful protests against controversial electoral changes announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, which were perceived as a unilateral attempt to "unfreeze" the territory's electoral roll. Indigenous Kanaks feared that these changes would dilute their voting power and jeopardize their prospects for another independence referendum.

The French government's response involved deploying almost 7,000 security personnel with armored vehicles to restore order. Reports emerged of excessive use of force by law enforcement, prompting criticism from the UN Human Rights Committee and human rights organizations. Committee members highlighted the "alarming" nature of the violence and raised concerns about the police's engagement in handling the protests.

The situation was further complicated by New Caledonia's fragile economic state, with hundreds of businesses destroyed and tens of thousands left jobless as a result of the unrest. The local government has sought 4 billion euros (approximately $4.33 billion) in recovery funds from France.

By Khagan Isayev