The Pacific Conference of Churches has called for justice in Mā’ohi (French Polynesia) and for Oscar Temaru, the activist mayor of Fa’aa and former territorial president.

In a message read at a protest march in Pape’ete at the weekend, PCC general secretary Reverend James Bhagwan called on France not to ignore Mā’ohi’s re-inscription to the United Nations Decolonisation list.

“Today, we note with concern that France has failed to hear the cry of the people and the voice of the United Nations,” Reverend Bhagwan said.

READ MORE: Oscar Temaru’s challenge over colonlai justice

“This refusal makes a mockery of France’s national motto – Liberté, égalité, fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).”

Reverend Bhagwan said the recent arrest of “freedom fighter” Oscar Temaru appeared to be linked to his role in bringing about the re-inscription of Mā’ohi at the UN.

Mā’ohi was reinscripted seven years ago to the UN Decolonisation List after strong international advocacy aided by the PCC. The full PCC statement said:

PCC statement
“Justice For Mā’ohi , Justice for Temaru

“As the people of Mā’ohi (French Polynesia) remember the seventh year of their reinscription on the United Nations decolonisation list, the Pacific Conference of Churches calls on France to act with justice.

“France has ignored the wishes of the Mā’ohi people and the United Nations for their inalienable right to hold an act of self-determination.

“Seven years ago, the Pacific churches supported the Etaretia Porotetani Mā’ohi (Mā’ohi Protestant Church) in the process of re-inscription and has joined the EPM as a petitioner at both the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) as well as the UN Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee).

“Today, we note with concern that France has failed to hear the cry of the people and the voice of the United Nations. This refusal makes a mockery of France’s national motto – Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).

“The Pacific churches also call on France to allow the people of Mā’ohi a voice on their political future by holding a referendum, similar to the political process in Kanaky (New Caledonia).’

“The recent arrest of freedom fighter, Oscar Temaru, appears to be linked to his role in bringing about the re-inscription of Mā’ohi at the UN.

“Temaru is in court over allegations on the misuse of public funds in Fa’aa where he is mayor. The courts have also ordered the seizure of US$100,000 of Temaru’s savings.

“The courts must never be used as a tool for political expediency or revenge against opponents. Our courts must act impartially as instruments of a legal system which is fair and just, not prejudiced and oppressive.

“We call for Temaru to be treated justly. We remind France that it has yet to bring about just reparation for the thousands of people – including French civilians and service personnel – crippled and debilitated by the fallout from nuclear tests at Fangataufa and Moruroa.

“And we call on the people of the Pacific to pray for the Mā’ohi church and justice for all in the region who face tyranny and injustice from their leaders.

“In the name of Christ and in the service of a just, peaceful and free Pacific.”

Reverend James S, Bhagwan
General Secretary
Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC)
Suva, Fiji

An admission by Alain Juppé, a former French prime minister at the time of the last nuclear tests in the Pacific, during his visit to French Polynesia last week that nuclear tests did have an impact on the environment and health has left antinuclear activists here puzzled.

He also appealed to the nuclear-free groups to play down the decolonisation overture to the United Nations, saying: “We will look for the path to reconciliation. We need to trust each other again.”

Juppé was prime minister for President Jacques Chirac in 1995 when France embarked on the final series of Pacific nuclear tests – the last test was triggered on January 27, 1996.

He left Tahiti at the weekend after a week in the French Pacific territory.

Juppé, mayor of Bordeaux, was on a mission for Les Republicains (former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s political party) primaries to be held in November.

He hopes to be become candidate to run for the presidential election next year.

Juppé came to French Polynesia to measure his popularity – he met officials of the territory and several mayors.

‘The truth’
A day before leaving Tahiti, Juppé went to a meeting with antinuclear organisations.

After two hours of talking (journalists were not invited), Juppé declared: “Considering nuclear tests as safe isn’t right. It is not the truth – nuclear tests had, and still have, an impact on the environment which is worrying. They also had an impact on people’s health.”

Juppé also announced to the antinuclear groups that, if he would be elected in 2017, he would modify an article of the so-called “Loi Morin” (Morin Law) of 2010, which outlined the conditions for compensation for nuclear testing victims.

His modification would remove the heavily criticised “insignificant risk” clause, which could lead to a larger population being potentially eligible for compensation.

Only 19 people have received compensation – seven from French Polynesia – out of 1043 claims filed under the law.

Before leaving Tahiti, Juppé also advised the antinuclear organisations not to press the issue at the United Nations Decoloniisation Committee hearings in October.

Leaders of the Tahitian antinuclear organisations were puzzled.

“I’m waiting to see what is going to happen when he is going to be elected, if he becomes president,” said Roland Oldham, president of Moruroa e Tatou.

“The French government needs to be honest towards Polynesian people and to show its real will to compensate them.”

Alain Juppé still has a long way to go before 2017. But people here in Tahiti will not forget his words.

• United Nations Committee of 24 (Decolonisation Committee)