France - Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Treaty

This report addresses France’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the political rights of the Kanak people in New Caledonia. Despite constitutional guarantees, systemic barriers continue to restrict self-determination, civic participation, and equitable representation.

This report examines key concerns, including (1) voting inaccessibility during the 2021 independence referendum, which prevented full electoral participation and undermined the legitimacy of the results; (2) the socio-political consequences of the flawed referendum process, contributing to unrest, violence, and alienation among Kanak youth; and (3) the lack of public services and youth support systems, further exacerbating economic and social disparities.

This report recommends that France implement electoral reforms to ensure accessible and fair voting in future referenda, expand civic and political education programs for the Kanak community, and establish public initiatives, including youth and cultural centres, to address long-standing inequalities and strengthen democratic participation.