5 Dec 2008

Wallisian's killing in New Caledonia square widely condemned

2:39 pm on 5 December 2008

There is a growing chorus of condemnation in New Caledonia of last weekend's fatal beating of a Wallisian man in central Noumea.

Sylvain Mauligalo, who was 31 years old, was assaulted and beaten to death by a group of young Kanak men in the city's main square.

So far, police have arrested seven suspects between the ages of 16 and 24.

The Human Rights League has expressed its indignation and condemned this act of racism.

The Kanak LKS Party has deplored the killing, linking it to a crisis of values in New Caledonia's society.

The Socialist Party says it is concerned about the increase in the incidences of discrimination and racism that affect all communities.

The killing comes amid a high-profile appeal court case about a fatal shooting in 2002 during ethnic violence between Wallisians and Kanaks.