this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
53 points (94.9% liked)

World News

39096 readers
4046 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 6 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Agreed. If you’ve lived somewhere ten years why should you be denied a vote? Frankly I would allow all residents to vote even when they first arrive but I’m sure this would be even more controversial.

Seems like a strange thing to riot over—is this being perceived in a lens of colonialism?

[–] bamboo@lemm.ee 24 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I think the context here is that New Caledonia wants to be an independent country, and has had several referendums to try and do so electorally. France is doing everything in their power to block New Caledonian independence, using both politics and violence against natives. By granting voting rights to French immigrants, it will increase France’s apparent political support on the islands and make it harder for them to achieve independence, ensuring France can continue to plunder the islands.

[–] Zedstrian@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 6 months ago

Although a boycott effectively rendered the 2021 referendum on independence meaningless, referendums on the issue in 2018 and 2020 in contrast had over 80% turnout, voting against independence by 56% and 53% majorities. As voter registration for those referendums excluded residents who had moved to the island after 1994, the issue of independence among long-term residents is, at the very least, a divisive issue.

In any case, suppressing the voices of those promoting independence, aside from being clearly undemocratic, will only worsen France's optics among New Caledonians. If the French government wants to convince locals that staying part of France is the best outcome for them, it needs to invest in the island's tourism and service industries to ensure its residents, particularly the disproportionately lower-income Kanaks, have an economy that will outlast the limited nickel deposits of New Caledonia.

[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I see. Well I definitely support New Caledonia’s right to self-determination but I don’t think fighting over disenfranchising people is going to be the best way to achieve that.

[–] bamboo@lemm.ee 5 points 6 months ago

I’m of the opinion generally that settler colonialism should be avoided, since every previous settler colonial project has been a complete disaster, and especially for the natives (see: the Americas, Palestine, South Africa, Algeria, Australia and New Zealand). The population of Europeans in New Caledonia was last recorded declining both in percentage and absolute values, while natives have been growing. France could discourage or ban new settlers, grant current settlers full rights, and it’s possible in a few decades the European population may naturally decline to where it’s not significant. Then again who am I to set such a long timetable.

[–] Drusas@kbin.run 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I think you got it backwards and you are disagreeing.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Can you explain it to me. What is going on, I tried to read the article but I don't think I grasped why the rioting is occuring. He said they have been citizens for 10 years, why weren't they able to vote before..?

[–] Drusas@kbin.run 1 points 6 months ago

It's similar to gentrification, if you're more familiar with that. The natives on these Pacific Islands don't want their culture to be diluted or eventually lost due to an outside group being able to vote and make decisions.

I'm not familiar with the law which prevents immigrants from voting there, but I understand why the native population would be against outsiders impacting their culture and politics.

[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 0 points 6 months ago

Yeah you might be right. Oh well.