© Unsplash/J. Modest New Caledonia is a special administrative-territorial entity of France located in the Pacific Ocean. The UN reminded France of its obligations to the indigenous people of New Caledonia International Law
France must ensure that any political and constitutional reforms concerning the future of New Caledonia will only be carried out with the full participation of the Kanak indigenous people. This was stated on Thursday by experts from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Committee expressed serious concern that recent initiatives by Paris could undermine the political architecture created by the 1998 Noumea Agreement. This document became the basis for the gradual decolonization of the territory, recognition of the Kanak identity, expansion of autonomy and preparation for resolving the issue of the political future of New Caledonia. According to experts, attempts to change electoral legislation and political mechanisms without the consent of Kanaks could negatively affect their right to participate in the political process.
The Committee paid particular attention to the fact that reforms affecting the rights of Kanaks were initiated without their participation. At the beginning of 2025, French authorities held closed negotiations in Bougival, which resulted in a new political agreement and a draft law to expand the electorate. However, the key institutions of the Kanak people were not invited to the discussion. The experts stressed that the current format of the process promoted by the French government is no longer multilateral and excludes the participation of the people of New Caledonia as equal parties.
The Committee called on France to ensure meaningful participation of the Kanak people in any reforms affecting their rights and interests, to consult transparently and in good faith with their representative institutions and to seek the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people when making decisions about the future territories. The experts stressed that any measures related to the decolonization and self-determination of New Caledonia must be based on inclusive dialogue.
Separately, the Committee expressed deep concern at reports of excessive and disproportionate use of force by French law enforcement authorities during the May 2024 protests, including the use of lethal force. It also noted reports of several Kanak human rights activists associated with the independence movement being transferred to prisons on mainland France without their consent.
The Committee called on Paris to conduct independent investigations into all cases of excessive use of force, bring those responsible to justice and ensure full compensation for victims.