The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has issued a statement condemning the killing of a young Kanak inmate, known by the pseudonym "James," during the unrest in New Caledonia in May 2024, SİA reports.
According to a report by France's Le Monde, the incident occurred on May 13 at the Camp-Est Penitentiary in Nouméa, where approximately 600 inmates were held. During the uprising, three guards were taken hostage, and most surveillance cameras were disabled. Law enforcement intervened to restore order, during which James was subjected to physical violence and sustained injuries, leading to his death four days later.
The BIG emphasized that James's death brings the official death toll from the May 2024 unrest to 15. The Camp-Est prison has long faced criticism for poor detention conditions, overcrowding, and systemic violence against inmates. Limited access to healthcare, mistreatment of young inmates, and inhumane practices have been reported. For these reasons, comprehensive reform of the facility was included in the Bougainville Agreement.
Following James's death, his family and legal representatives have filed three separate civil complaints. Human rights organizations accuse state officials, particularly law enforcement, of abuse of power and physical violence. According to Le Monde, James's death was never recorded in official statistics.
The BIG believes the French government deliberately concealed the incident for several reasons: The death occurred not during the street protests but within the Camp-Est prison, potentially classifying it as an unreported and unofficial death. The status of the judicial investigation and expert findings has not been made public, delaying accountability. The destruction of surveillance cameras during the unrest has eliminated visual evidence, hindering the investigation.
Consequently, James's tragic death has not been reflected in official statistics and remains concealed from the public.
The BIG has called for transparency, accountability, and justice for all victims of the New Caledonia unrest.
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