New Caledonia: Violence flares up after France detains activists

A town hall and police station are set alight after France detains pro-independence figures.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUK General ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessFuture of BusinessTechnology of BusinessWork CultureInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersProtests flare up in New Caledonia as France detains activists1 day agoBy Malu Cursino, BBC NewsShare Delphine MAYEUR / AFPPro-independence supporters object to the detention of activists in New CaledoniaProtests in New Caledonia have flared up after seven pro-independence activists were detained and taken to France for their alleged role in orchestrating riots against a controversial voting reform bill.

A town hall, police station and several other buildings were set alight across New Caledonia, France's high commission to the South Pacific territory said.

Among those flown to mainland France was pro-independence leader Christian Tein, who on Saturday was charged in connection with riots, looting and arson in which nine people were killed.

The violence broke out over plans to extend voting rights to people who had lived in the overseas territory for more than 10 years. French President Emmanuel Macron then visited New Caledonia and suspended the proposed reforms to allow "a return to order".

New Caledonia's French high commission said widespread unrest began on Sunday night and required the "rapid and determined" intervention of law enforcement agents and firefighters in various locations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nnn56ved6o

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