2006 Nukuʻalofa riots

16/11 the date November 16 August 2021 2006 civil unrest and riots in Tonga Startfires.jpg 300px The start of the major fires due to the Nukualofa riots 16 November 2006 Nukualofa, Tonga 21 8 S 175 12 W type:event_region:TO inline,title Tonga Supported by:2006-11-19 Tongan pro-democracy movement slams intervention en-AU ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-11-19/tongan-pro-democracy-movement-slams-intervention/1313148 2023-03-26 Australia New Zealand Protesters George Tupou VLord Sevele of VailahiLord Tuʻihaʻangana No centralised leadership Tonga Defence ServicesTonga Police Force 6 571 Riots end Declaration of a state of emergency The 2006 Nukualofa riots, also known as the 2006 Tongan riots,https://libcom.org/history/tongan-riots-2006 Tongan riots, 2006 libcom.org en 2018-11-27 started on 16 November, in the Tongan capital of Nukualofa. The Legislative Assembly of Tonga was due to adjourn for the year and despite promises of action, had done little to advance democracy in the government. A mixed crowd of democracy advocates took to the streets in protest. The riots saw a number of cases of robbery, looting, vehicle theft, arson, and various property damage. Targets of riots thumb|300px|Looters walkingRiots broke out around 3:30 pm TOT as rioters threw stones, broke windows, and looted. By about 6:00 pm, rioters started setting buildings on fire. The first targets of the rioters were government buildings. Then they attacked enterprises, including some that were leased to ANZ Bank and those owned by the Prime Minister Feleti Sevele. A private shop selling mobile telephones and advertising for Tonfön (part of the Shoreline Group of Companies owned, at the time, by the royal family) was next. Rioters also attacked and burned the main office of the Shoreline Group of Companies, which was located 1 km on away from the small central business district. Several of the larger Chinese shops were targeted for looting and burning. Other shops, including one owned by ethnic Indians, were burned as well, but it is not clear if they were intentionally set on fire or caught fire from surrounding buildings. At about 6:00 PM TOT rioters torched the Royal Pacific hotel (owned by the Shoreline Group of Companies). The hotel was located on one of the main roads into the city. There are many commercial buildings on the thoroughfare, and the fire spread to some of those buildings as well. According to an article in Tonga Now,Riots in Tonga 2006 http://planet-tonga.com/gallery/Riots-In-Tonga Planet Tonga 20 November 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120414215906/http://www.planet-tonga.com/gallery/Riots-In-Tonga 14 April 2012 normally law-abiding Tongans of both sexes and all ages were participating avidly in the looting. However, some photos would seem to indicate that the car-tipping and arson were the work of young men. This conception would be reinforced after a destroyed Chinese shop was vandalized with graffiti. At nightfall, the police and the Tonga Defence Services regained control of the central business district and were turning away anyone who tried to enter. Aftermath thumb|300px|The day after, a journalist under the watchful eye of the armyEstimates of the damage varied. Some estimates said that 60 to 80% of the central business district was destroyed.Fonua Mary Linny Folau and Pesi Fonua Rioting crowd leaves trail of wreckage in Nukuʻalofa http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml 16 November 2006 Matangi Tonga 20 November 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20070204104314/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml 4 February 2007 17 November It was announced that eight bodies had been found in charred ruins.Riot death toll in Tonga reaches eight https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166190/riot-death-toll-in-tonga-reaches-eight Radio New Zealand 17 November 2006 29 December 2020 Since most of the employees of the affected businesses managed to reach safety, news reports speculated that the dead were likely looters. It is not clear if the deceased have been identified or if identified, when their names will be released. The Tongan government declared a state of emergency. Only firefighters, police, utility workers, etc. were allowed inside a perimeter defined by Vuna road, Alipate road, Mateialona road, and Tupoulahi road. Residents of that area could enter only after being searched. For the next month, gatherings of more than five persons were illegal in that area. Emergency laws gave security forces the right to stop and search people without a warrant.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166193/death-toll-in-tonga-reaches-eight-new-zealand-and-australia-send-security-reinforcements Death toll in Tonga reaches eight.New Zealand and Australia send security reinforcements RNZ 18 November 2006 29 December 2020 The Tongan government promised reform. Popular elections were held in 2008.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/six-died-in-tonga-rioting-report/W5QQYFI6H6SXUJF5ZI352KTHCE/ Six died in Tonga rioting - report New Zealand Herald 17 November 2006 28 December 2021 The Chinese embassy chartered an airplane to evacuate Chinese nationals.Flight chartered to evacuate Chinese in Tonga http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1795155.htm ABC News and Current Affairs 22 November 2006 26 November 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20100331010458/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1795155.htm 31 March 2010 dead 18 November 110 soldiers and 44 police officers from Australia and New Zealand arrived to help the local police to establish order. The New Zealand army was to be in charge of airport security and the police were to protect the High Commission. The Australian contingent from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment were to assist and relieve exhausted Tongan police.NZ, Aust troops land in Tonga http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411424/895213 Television New Zealand Australian Associated Press 18 November 2006 18 November 2006 19 November A leader of the Tongan pro-democracy movement, MP 'Akilisi Pohiva, criticised the intervention of Australian and New Zealand peacekeepers following the riots.Tongan pro-democracy movement slams intervention http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1792095.htm ABC News and Current Affairs 19 November 2006 1 December 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20071111123551/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1792095.htm 11 November 2007 dead 20 November Some businesses had temporarily relocated to the suburbs. Some looted items were returned. Police were guarding the telecommunications center and investigating mobile call logs. According to the Matangi Tonga newspaper, twenty-six arrests had been made and the number of deaths had been revised down to six.Police confirm six dead in Tonga fires http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/six_dead221106.shtml Matangi Tonga 22 November 2006 22 November 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110527144844/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/six_dead221106.shtml 27 May 2011 22 November Nukuʻalofa was by now largely peaceful. The town center was still cordoned off and heavily patrolled, but local shop owners and the like could easily get permission to enter the restricted area. Some Chinese shops which escaped damage were now open again. Major shops and banks, however, were still operating from temporary locations in the suburbs. 1 December Peace was believed to be restored and foreign forces began leaving. The forbidden area in town was reduced. Police had made 571 arrests.Radio Tonga news and http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/suspects011206.shtml Archived copy 2006-12-05 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110527144913/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/suspects011206.shtml 27 May 2011 2007 The first business to rebuild and reopen was the Fung Shin supermarket, which opened in new premises on 19 December 2007.http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/business/fung_shing_201207_1657.shtml Fung Shin opens for Christmas 20 December 2007 22 December 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071224182356/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/business/fung_shing_201207_1657.shtml 24 December 2007 dead Matangi Tonga 2008 In November 2008, rebuilding began with an anticipated three years of work for the infrastructure to be complete. Roads, footpaths, drainage and more were planned by Minister Paul Karalus. Funding was provided by low-interest Chinese government loans amounting to $US55 million.https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/4404/rebuilding-begins-in-nuku'alofa-after-2006-riot Rebuilding begins in Nuku'alofa after 2006 riot 2008-11-19 Radio New Zealand 2018-11-27 en-nz 2018 In July 2018, Tonga was expected to begin the repayments of loans from China for reconstruction that ended up being US$100 million+ to the Chinese government. The commitment to begin this process was made by ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/361763/tonga-to-start-repaying-loan-for-nuku-alofa-reconstruction Tonga to start repaying loan for Nuku'alofa reconstruction 2018-07-13 Radio New Zealand 2018-11-27 en-nz Maintaining the state of emergency In late January 2008, the Tongan authorities renewed a Proclamation of Public Order for the sixteenth month running, a lingering aftermath of the riots. The statement reads: "It is hereby proclaimed that there continues to exist a state of danger" in central Nukuʻalofa. According to the Proclamation, the area will remain "controlled and maintained by the Tonga Police Force and Tonga Defence Services for the sole purpose of maintaining public order for all people of the country"."PM renews public order proclamation for 16th month" https://web.archive.org/web/20110527145231/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/defence/Tonga_public_order_300108.shtml 27 May 2011 , Matangi Tonga, 30 January 2008 Tongan information minister Afualo Matoto announced that the state of emergency would probably be maintained for another three months (i.e., until the end of April). This was criticised by Tongan pro-democracy advocate ʻAkilisi Pōhiva: "I don’t see any reason for government to continue to hold on to the emergency power."https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175133/tongan-pro-democracy-advocate-questions-state-of-emergency-continuation Tongan pro-democracy advocate questions state of emergency continuation 28 January 2008 Radio New Zealand 29 December 2020 The state of emergency was lifted in August 2008. Member of Parliament ʻAkilisi Pōhiva noted that the government had probably chosen to wait until after the coronation of King George Tupou V to put an end to it.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/179055/leading-tongan-mp-welcomes-end-of-state-of-emergency Leading Tongan MP welcomes end of state of emergency 29 August 2008 Radio New Zealand 29 December 2020 It was, however, re-imposed in September, despite the objections of pro-democracy members of Parliament."Tongan PM re-imposes emergency regulations", ABC Radio Australia, 10 September 2008https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/179225/anger-in-tonga-after-emergency-police-powers-put-back-in-place Anger in Tonga after emergency police powers put back in place 10 September 2008 Radio New Zealand 29 December 2020 Operation Kaliloa A joint investigation into the riots by the Tonga police, Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police, codenamed Operation Kaliloa, began. 678 people were arrested, some under controversial circumstances,https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvq4c0m7.8 Thy kingdom burn: Hegemony, resistance and securitisation in Tonga Contested Terrain: Reconceptualising Security in the Pacific Steven Ratuva ANU Press 2019 186 j.ctvq4c0m7.8 9781760463199 29 December 2020 with former Police Minister Clive Edwards also being charged after claiming that soldiers had engaged in indiscriminate beatings.Tonga MP says hundreds brutally beaten by soldiers https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166432/tonga-mp-says-hundreds-brutally-beaten-by-soldiers Radio New Zealand 28 November 2006 29 December 2020 Democratic leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was arrested on charges of sedition, along with Edwards and a number of other pro-democracy MPs and activists.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167319/tongan-pro-democracy-leader-released-on-bail,-facing-charges-of-sedition Tongan pro-democracy leader released on bail, facing charges of sedition RNZ 19 January 2007 29 December 2020Tonga's former police minister charged with two counts of sedition https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167612/tonga%27s-former-police-minister-charged-with-two-counts-of-sedition Radio New Zealand 2 February 2007 29 December 2020https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167498/tonga-police-confirm-third-mp-arrested-in-connection-with-nuku'alofa-riot Tonga police confirm third MP arrested in connection with Nuku'alofa riot RNZ 30 January 2007 29 December 2020http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/03/01/tonga-rugby-chairman-charged-november-riots TONGA RUGBY CHAIRMAN CHARGED IN NOVEMBER RIOTS Pacific Islands Report 1 March 2007 29 December 2020 24 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201124183749/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/03/01/tonga-rugby-chairman-charged-november-riots dead In total there were 320 prosecutions related to the riots. No-one was convicted of any political charge. Most non-sedition charges against MPs were withdrawn in September 2007,https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/172577/crown-withdraws-six-charges-against-five-people's-representatives-in-tonga Crown withdraws six charges against five People's Representatives in Tonga RNZ 11 September 2007 29 December 2020 and all were ultimately acquitted in March 2009.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/182788/five-accused-found-not-guilty-of-sedition-in-tonga Five accused found not guilty of sedition in Tonga RNZ 30 March 2009 29 December 2020https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/186051/five-acquitted-on-charges-of-seditious-conspiracy-in-tonga Five acquitted on charges of seditious conspiracy in Tonga RNZ 14 September 2009 29 December 2020 Democracy campaigner Sione Halafuka Vea was acquitted in July 2007.https://www.smh.com.au/world/tongan-democracy-campaigner-not-guilty-20070727-gdqpp3.html Tongan democracy campaigner 'not guilty' The Sydney Morning Herald 27 July 2007 29 December 2020http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/07/27/tongan-charged-sedition-found-not-guilty TONGAN CHARGED WITH SEDITION FOUND NOT GUILTY Pacific Islands Report 27 July 2007 29 December 2020 26 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200626023022/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/07/27/tongan-charged-sedition-found-not-guilty dead Charges against businesswoman 'Ofa Simiki, who the government had claimed masterminded the riots, were withdrawn in April 2008.http://www.pireport.org/articles/2008/05/02/tonga-withdraws-sedition-charge-against-woman TONGA WITHDRAWS SEDITION CHARGE AGAINST WOMAN Pacific Islands Report 2 May 2008 29 December 2020 2 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210902104612/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2008/05/02/tonga-withdraws-sedition-charge-against-woman dead MP ʻIsileli Pulu was acquitted on charges of abetting murder and arson in July 2008.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/178221/tonga's-number-two-people's-rep-cleared-on-riot-related-charges Tonga's number two People's Rep cleared on riot-related charges RNZ 14 July 2008 29 December 2020 Sedition charges against broadcaster Sione Sangster Saulala were also dismissed that month.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/178274/tonga's-judiciary-described-as-independent Tonga's judiciary described as independent RNZ 16 July 2008 29 December 2020 Charges against Edwards were dismissed in May 2010.http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/4339975/Tonga-Power-to-the-people Tonga: Power to the People Sunday Star Times 14 November 2010 29 December 2020 The state of emergency declared on 17 November 2006 was extended several times. It was finally ended in January 2011 once the new Prime Minister took office following the 2010 election, itself preceded by constitutional reform.Background Notes, Tonga https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/tonga/191080.htm 10 February 2013 U.S. Department of State United States Department of State 31 October 2011 References External links Riots in Tonga Rioting crowd leaves trail of wreckage in Nukuʻalofa Six found dead after Tonga riots See also 2021 Solomon Islands unrest Category:Nukuʻalofa Nuku'alofa riots Nukualofa Riots, 2006 Category:Riots and civil disorder in Oceania Category:Looting in Oceania Category:November 2006 in Oceania