New Caledonian activist calls himself ‘political prisoner’ in France

PARIS (AFP) – An indigenous Kanak independence activist from the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia said on Monday he considered himself a “political prisoner” as authorities held him in a jail on the French mainland awaiting charges over a series of deadly riots.

Christophe Tain, 56, the leader of the pro-independence wing of CCAT, has been accused by Paris of planning weeks of unrest, a charge denied by members of the group.

AFP witnessed the conversation between Theyn and two French Green Party senators who visited Theyn separately in prison in the northeastern French city of Mulhouse.

“I am a political prisoner, and my comrades and I are the first political prisoners to be extradited in this way,” he said.

“I can speak to my lawyer in Noumea by phone, but it’s difficult because of the time difference. I have to contact the lawyer here,” he added.

Taine was one of seven pro-independence activists who moved to mainland France on July 23 from the territory, about 17,000 kilometers (10,600 miles) from Paris.

This move triggered a renewed escalation of unrest in New Caledonia.

The authorities have launched a judicial investigation into Tein on suspicion of conspiracy to commit attempted murder and other charges.

In mid-May, a wave of rioting and looting broke out in New Caledonia over proposed electoral reforms.

The Kanaks fear that the plan will keep them in a permanent minority position compared to the French from the mainland, making the dream of independence out of reach.

The violence has left nine people dead and more than 1,500 arrested, according to the High Commission, which represents the French government in the region.

Monday’s visit was monitored by authorities and Taine was not allowed to discuss his role in the riots.

But he said, “ultimately we have to sit down and resume negotiations. New Caledonia’s survival depends on it.”

New Caledonia’s Committee against Torture on Monday called for the “immediate release and repatriation” of detained activists to stand trial in New Caledonia and accused French authorities of “pursuing a colonial strategy.”

The French League for Human Rights said in a statement that the activists’ detention on a distant continent was “a serious violation of their right to private and family life…PACNEWS

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