23 Jun 2010

New Caledonia and Guam at UN decolonistaion meeting

8:07 pm on 23 June 2010

Representatives of indigenous people in New Caledonia and Guam have addressed the United Nations decolonisation committee in New York.

Speaking on behalf of New Caledonia's pro-independence Kanak movement, Caroline Machoro-Reignier has expressed concern about the persistent inequality within the territory.

She talked about her unease at the massive immigration from Europe which adds to imbalances in New Caledonia.

Six speakers for Guam's Chamorro people spoke of their concern about the island's militarisation by the United States, which it's feared will add to the territory's dependence on Washington.

One speaker, Hope Alvarez Cristobal, says Guam has a mortality rate which is worse than in the US, adding that Guam has the highest suicide rate in the world.

She says few people in Guam know about their rights as indigenous people and urged the UN to send a delegation to the territory to remind the people that militarisation contradicts decolonistaion.