The start of the major fires
The 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots started on November 16, in the Tongan capital of Nukuʻalofa. The Legislative Assembly of Tonga (the majority of which is appointed by the King) 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. Some people in the crowd starting tipping over cars, then progressed to looting and burning buildings.
Targets of riots
Riots 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 one kilometer 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[1], normally law-abiding Tongans of both sexes and all ages were participating avidly in the looting. However, some photos[1] 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
Estimates of the damage varied. Some estimates said that 60 to 80% of the central business district was destroyed.[2]
The day after, a journalist under the watchful eye of the army
17 November
It was announced that eight bodies had been found in charred ruins.[3] 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, ʻAlipate 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.[4]
The Tongan government promises reform. Popular elections are to be held in 2008, in which a majority of the Legislative Assembly will be elected by a popular vote.[5]
The Chinese embassy chartered an aeroplane to evacuate Chinese nationals.[6]
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 will be in charge of airport security and the police will protect the High Commission. The Australian contingent will be assisting and relieving exhausted Tongan police.[7]
19 November
Restrictions on entry into town were relaxed. Citizens were again allowed into town, but on foot only, in order to attend church services. Airlines are said to be operating with special flights on Sunday (an exception to the strict laws prohibiting commercial activity on the Christian Sabbath). Electricity has been restored to all parts of Nukuʻalofa.citation needed
A leader of the Tongan pro-democracy movement, MP Akilisi Pohiva, has criticised the intervention of Australian and New Zealand peacekeepers following the riots.[8]
20 November
Some businesses have temporarily relocated to the suburbs. Some Tongans have returned looted items. Police are guarding the telecommunications center and investigating mobile call logs. According to the Matangi Tonga newspaper, twenty-six arrests have been made and the number of deaths has been revised down to six.[9]
22 November
Nukuʻalofa is now largely peaceful. The town center is still cordoned off and heavily patrolled, but local shop owners and the like can easily get permission to enter the interdicted area. Some Chinese shops which escaped damage have opened again. Major shops and banks are now operating from temporary locations in the suburbs.
1 December
The country is believed to be quiet now, and the foreign soldiers are leaving. The forbidden area in town is reduced. Police have made so far 571 arrests.[10]
As of 2008: state of emergency maintained
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". [11] 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 Akilisi Pohiva: "I don’t see any reason for government to continue to hold on to the emergency power." [12]
Operation Kaliloa
A joint investigation into the riots by the Tonga police, Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police, codenamed Operation Kaliloa, has begun.
Tongan MP and former Police Minister Clive Edwards claims that Tongan soldiers have beaten hundreds of people and then refused them treatment for their injuries. Edwards claims he was attacked by police himself. [13] An official of the Tongan Defence Force said there was no evidence to back up Edwards' claims. He would not give his name. [14] On 2 February 2007, Edwards was arrested and charged with two counts of sedition arising from the riots. [15]
The state of emergency declared on 17 November 2006 has been extended several times and is currently due to end in mid-February 2008, although the Tongan government has stated it is likely to be maintained until April.[16] [17]
Rebuilding
The first business to rebuild and reopen was the Fung Shin supermarket, which opened in new premises on 19 December 2007.[18]
References
- ^ a b "Riots in Tonga 2006". Planet Tonga. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ Fonua, Mary; Linny Folau and Pesi Fonua (2006-11-16). "Rioting crowd leaves leaves trail of wreckage in Nukuʻalofa", Matangi Tonga. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ "Riot death toll in Tonga reaches eight", Radio New Zealand (2006-11-17). Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ "Tonga passes emergency stop-and-search laws", Radio New Zealand (2006-11-17). Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ "Six died in Tonga rioting - report", The New Zealand Herald (2006-11-17). Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ "Flight chartered to evacuate Chinese in Tonga", ABC News and Current Affairs (2006-11-22). Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
- ^ "NZ, Aust troops land in Tonga", Television New Zealand, Australian Associated Press (2006-11-18). Retrieved on 2006-11-18.
- ^ "Tongan pro-democracy movement slams intervention", ABC News and Current Affairs (2006-11-19). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ "Police confirm six dead in Tonga fires", Matangi Tonga (2006-11-22). Retrieved on 2006-11-22.
- ^ Radio Tonga news and http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/suspects011206.shtml
- ^ "PM renews public order proclamation for 16th month", Matangi Tonga, January 30, 2008
- ^ "Tongan pro-democracy advocate questions state of emergency continuation", Radio New Zealand International, January 28, 2008
- ^ "Tonga MP says hundreds brutally beaten by soldiers", Radio New Zealand (2006-11-28). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ "Tongan military dismisses claims of abuse following riots", Radio New Zealand (2006-11-29). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ "Tonga’s former police minister charged with two counts of sedition", Radio New Zealand (2007-02-02). Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
- ^ "Tonga extends state of emergency", Radio Australia (2007-06-19).
- ^ see footnote 12
- ^ "Fung Shin opens for Christmas", Matangi Tonga (2007-12-20). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
External links
Video of riots
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