Stand with the people of Kanaky New Caledonia

In November 2023, churches and communities gathered at Lifou in Kanaky New Caledonia as the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), the Pasifika Household of God. In meeting on the island of Lifou, PCC returned to the place which hosted the inaugural Assembly in 1966. Their presence also affirmed PCC support for Kanak independence and the wellbeing of its people facing major challenges. This solidarity has played a significant role already this year.

The Pacific Conference of Churches has been a partner of Christian World Service since its founding.

In May this year, young people took to the streets in protest about moves by the French government to undo the delicate political balance between Kanak leaders, the government and French settlers. The police responded with force. In response, PCC issued a statement affirming support for the Kanak people and calling for an end to the violence.

Its General Secretary Rev. James Bhagwan has spoken out for Kanak rights to their own land and in support of its people.

On 14 July PCC asked Pacific peoples to mark Freedom Sunday with prayer and solidarity for Kanaky New Caledonia, Ma’ohi Nui French Polynesia and other communities struggling for decolonisation, self-determination and the flourishing of indigenous and vulnerable communities.

Methodist Church leaders from Aotearoa also issued a statement ahead of Freedom Sunday.

PCC at the UN Decolonisation Committee

At the request of PCC, CWS provided funding for James Bhagwan to attend the Special Committee on Decolonisation or C-24 at the United Nations headquarters in June.

James spoke on behalf of the Eglise Protestante de Kanaky Nouvelle Calédonie (who were unable to attend because of travel restrictions imposed by France), PCC, the World Council of Churches and the Pacific Non-Governmental Alliance (PIANGO).

He expressed Pacific concerns about the French government's insistence on holding the third referendum on independence despite Kanak requests that it be delayed because of the major impact of Covid on their community. PCC and other global voices supported this position to recognise the traditional one-year mourning period.

“France has turned a deaf ear to the untiring and peaceful calls of the indigenous people of Kanaky-New Caledonia and other pro-independence supporters for a new political process founded on justice, peaceful dialogue, and consensus,” he told the Committee.

His intervention raised important questions about France’s administration of the territory. The French government is in the process of passing legislation that is likely to give settlers more power at the expense of the Kanak people.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the draft constitutional law seeking to unfreeze the local electorate roll,” he said.

James asked the Committee to insist that France reconsider its military presence in order to de-escalate the tensions - which have now claimed the lives of ten people since protests began on 13 May - and to heed the repeated and non-violent requests of the FLNKS and other pro-independence groups for a better political agreement.

He further proposed the establishment of an Eminent Persons Group by the Pacific Islands Forum "to mediate between the parties and ensure the best conditions for a just and peaceful dialogue process.”

In concluding his presentation, he emphasised the need for culturally appropriate community trauma healing and peace building.

“The very fact that Kanaky New Caledonia is an agenda item in this meeting and that of the 4th Committee is a reminder that their decolonisation is a matter of ‘when, not ‘if’ – and a ‘when’ that needs to be sooner rather than later.”

Christian World Service funded development activities to improve livelihoods through its partner, the Eglise Protestante de Kanaky in the 1990s. Visiting staff have spoken of the sharp contrast between the lives of many of the Kanak people and the French settlers. The settlers lived as if they were in Paris while the Kanaks often struggled to provide for their families. Over time these inequities have worsened and the daily struggle for life’s necessities has become more challenging for the indigenous people.