Fiji, Sept. 3 -- Kanaky New Caledonia civil society groups have called on Pacific Islands Forum leaders to take stronger action on decolonisation, human rights and self-determination, accusing France of presenting a misleading picture of the situation in the territory.

As the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Retreat gets under way in Koror, Palau, the groups have urged Forum leaders not to accept what they described as a "facade narrative" that presents decolonisation in Kanaky New Caledonia as complete.

The groups call for greater Pacific involvement in monitoring developments and supporting a process of self-determination.

"Pacific Leaders must not allow themselves to be misled by a facade narrative that conceals documented violations ...