New Caledonia lives under constant repression, say local politicians

Members of the New Caledonian parties talked about the challenges experienced in their country at the first Congress of Independence Movements from French-colonized territories in baku, Report informs.

The congress is organized by the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe with the support of the Baku Initiative Group and brings together leaders from more than 15 political parties and independence movements from Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Caribbean, and the Antilles, all of which are experiencing French colonialism.

During the congress, Isabelle Kaloï, a member of a New Caledonian party, expressed concern that young Kanaks are currently being targeted. She emphasized that the measures taken in response to the events in New Caledonia since May 13 have proven ineffective: "We live under constant repression. More serious measures need to be taken. We will work to solve our own fate."

Marie-line Sakilia, another Caledonian politician, highlighted that approximately 1,500 people have been arrested on the island: "Many parents are still looking for their children. There are concerns about New Caledonia. A dictatorial regime has been established in our country. Our schools are paralyzed. Sixty thousand students cannot study. Our medical centers were also destroyed. We are not terrorists, we demand our rights."

Maria Saliga, another Caledonian party member, noted that French state's actions are unacceptable.

"The situation in New Caledonia is terrible. Macron's France has turned away from democracy. We are fighting for independence, it is not a civil war," she pointed out.