19 Dec 2008

New Caledonian racism decried

2:42 pm on 19 December 2008

The head of New Caledonia's Human Rights League has expressed his disquiet at reports that some Noumea night clubs often refuse entry to young Kanaks, apparently on the basis of the colour of their skin.

Elie Poigoune says he has been told that only white people are admitted, in particular in Noumea's Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata areas.

Mr Poigoune says he regrets that most often those who are rejected don't lodge complaints and sometimes express their frustrations in violent acts that land them in police custody.

He says such discrimination should no longer be practiced as New Caledonia's ethnic communities have now lived in peace for 20 years.

Mr Poigoune says in 1974 he joined the pro-independence movement after he was turned away at a restaurant when discrimination was common.