French Pacific Territories Bring Fight for Independence to the United Nations
French Polynesia and New Caledonia are preparing to present their cases for independence before the United Nations. Those who oppose independence will also have an opportunity to speak.
Two of France’s territories in the Pacific—French Polynesia and New Caledonia—will argue for independence before the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee).
Petitioners from both islands who are against independence will also be heard. The Tapura party representative states that the majority of Polynesians do not support independence.
Both territories are currently designated by the U.N. as “non-sovereign territories to be decolonised.”
Since 2013, the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party has led a strong delegation from French Polynesia. This year, they are sending a 17-person delegation.
Support for their submissions comes from various petitioners like the Ma’ohi Protestant Church and the Nuclear Tests Veterans Association. President Moetai Brotherson’s government in the territory has announced its official representation to the Committee.
France sent a U.N. representative to listen to petitioners’ speeches for the first time in a decade last year.
Tavini Huiraatira representative Élise Vanaa hopes for engagement from France’s representative in the talks. She emphasizes the importance of dialogue for the decolonization process.
Tapura is confident that its message will be heard despite sending only four petitioners. Their representative, Tepuirarurii Territahi, stresses the need for both sides to be heard at the U.N.
Significant delegations from both sides of the independence issue in New Caledonia are also participating. The anti-independence parties consider recent events in the region a “coup d’etat” and are calling for a fact-finding mission from the U.N.
President Emanuel Macron of France plans to hold a meeting with New Caledonia’s political parties in November.
