2006 Nukuʻalofa riots: Difference between revisions

{{UpdateUse dmy dates|date=MarchAugust 20122021}}

{{Infobox civil conflict

| image = Startfires.jpg

|image_size image_size = 300px

| caption = The start of the major fires due to the [[Nuku{{okina}}alofa]] riots

| date = 16 November 2006

| place = [[Nuku{{okina}}alofa]], [[Tonga]]

| coordinates = {{Coord|21|8|S|175|12|W|type:event_region:TO|display=inline,title}}

The '''2006 Nuku{{okina}}alofa riots''', also known as the '''2006 Tongan riots''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://libcom.org/history/tongan-riots-2006|title=Tongan riots, 2006|website=libcom.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> started on 16 November, in the [[Tonga]]n capital of [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{okina}}alofa]]. 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 [[Politics of Tonga|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]].

[[File:Looters.jpg|thumb|300px|Looters walking]]Riots broke out around 3:30 pm [[UTC+13|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 [[Australia and New Zealand Banking Group|ANZ Bank]] and those owned by the [[Prime Minister of Tonga|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{{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} away from the small central business district.

According to an article in ''Tonga Now'',<ref name="Planet-Tonga">{{Cite web|title=Riots in Tonga 2006 |url=http://planet-tonga.com/gallery/Riots-In-Tonga |publisher=Planet Tonga |accessdateaccess-date=20 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414215906/http://www.planet-tonga.com/gallery/Riots-In-Tonga |archivedatearchive-date=14 April 2012 }}</ref> normally law-abiding Tongans of both sexes and all ages were participating avidly in the looting. However, some photos<ref name="Planet-Tonga"/> 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.

[[File:Dayafter.jpg|thumb|300px|The day after, a journalist under the watchful eye of the army]]Estimates of the damage varied. Some estimates said that 60 to 80% of the central business district was destroyed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fonua|first=Mary|author2=Linny Folau and Pesi Fonua|title=Rioting crowd leaves trail of wreckage in Nukuʻalofa|url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml|date=16 November 2006|publisher=Matangi Tonga|accessdateaccess-date=20 November 2006|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204104314/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml|archivedatearchive-date=4 February 2007}}</ref>

It was announced that eight bodies had been found in charred ruins.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Riot death toll in Tonga reaches eight|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166190/riot-death-toll-in-tonga-reaches-eight |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=17 November 2006|accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> 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, {{okina}}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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166193/death-toll-in-tonga-reaches-eight-new-zealand-and-australia-send-security-reinforcements |title=Death toll in Tonga reaches eight.New Zealand and Australia send security reinforcements |publisher=RNZ |date=18 November 2006 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

The Tongan government promised reform. [[2008 Tongan general election|Popular elections were held]] in 2008, in which a majority of the Legislative Assembly were elected by popular vote.<ref>{{Citecite news|title=Sixweb died in Tonga rioting – report|url=httphttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/sectionworld/story.cfm?c_idsix-died-in-tonga-rioting-report/W5QQYFI6H6SXUJF5ZI352KTHCE/ |title=2&ObjectID=10411220Six died in Tonga rioting - report |publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=17 November 2006 |accessdateaccess-date=2028 NovemberDecember 20062021}}</ref>

The Chinese embassy chartered an airplane to evacuate Chinese nationals.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Flight chartered to evacuate Chinese in Tonga|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1795155.htm|publisher=[[ABC News and Current Affairs]]|date=22 November 2006|accessdateaccess-date=26 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331010458/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1795155.htm|archive-date=31 March 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=NZ, Aust troops land in Tonga|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411424/895213|work=[[Television New Zealand]]|publisher=[[Australian Associated Press]]|date=18 November 2006|accessdateaccess-date=18 November 2006}}</ref>

A leader of the [[Tonga]]n pro-democracy movement, MP [['Akilisi Pohiva]], has criticised the intervention of Australian and New Zealand peacekeepers following the riots.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tongan pro-democracy movement slams intervention|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1792095.htm|publisher=[[ABC News and Current Affairs]]|date=19 November 2006|accessdateaccess-date=1 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111123551/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1792095.htm|archive-date=11 November 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Police confirm six dead in Tonga fires |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/six_dead221106.shtml |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=22 November 2006 |accessdateaccess-date=22 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527144844/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/six_dead221106.shtml |archivedatearchive-date=27 May 2011 }}</ref>

Peace was believed to be restored and foreign forces began leaving. The forbidden area in town was reduced. Police had made 571 arrests.<ref>Radio Tonga news and {{cite web|url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/suspects011206.shtml |title=Archived copy |accessdateaccess-date=2006-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527144913/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/suspects011206.shtml |archivedatearchive-date=27 May 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref>

The first business to rebuild and reopen was the Fung Shin supermarket, which opened in new premises on 19 December 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/business/fung_shing_201207_1657.shtml|title=Fung Shin opens for Christmas|date=20 December 2007|accessdateaccess-date=22 December 2007|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224182356/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/business/fung_shing_201207_1657.shtml|archivedatearchive-date=24 December 2007 |url-status=dead|publisher=[[Matangi Tonga]]}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/4404/rebuilding-begins-in-nuku'alofa-after-2006-riot|title=Rebuilding begins in Nuku'alofa after 2006 riot|date=2008-11-19|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-nz}}</ref>

In July 2018, Tonga was expected to begin the repayments of loans from China for reconstruction that ended up being US$100 million+ fromto the Chinese government. The commitment to begin this process was made by [[ʻAkilisi Pōhiva|'Akilisi Pohiva]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/361763/tonga-to-start-repaying-loan-for-nuku-alofa-reconstruction|title=Tonga to start repaying loan for Nuku'alofa reconstruction|date=2018-07-13|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-nz}}</ref>

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".<ref>[http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/defence/Tonga_public_order_300108.shtml "PM renews public order proclamation for 16th month"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527145231/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/defence/Tonga_public_order_300108.shtml |date=27 May 2011 }}, Matangi Tonga, 30 January 2008</ref> 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 AkilisiʻAkilisi PohivaPōhiva: "I don’t see any reason for government to continue to hold on to the emergency power."<ref name="RNZ_37686">{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175133/tongan-pro-democracy-advocate-questions-state-of-emergency-continuation |title=Tongan pro-democracy advocate questions state of emergency continuation |date=28 January 2008 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

The state of emergency was lifted in August 2008. Member of Parliament [['AkilisiʻAkilisi Pohiva]]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.<ref name="RNZ_41747">{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/179055/leading-tongan-mp-welcomes-end-of-state-of-emergency |title=Leading Tongan MP welcomes end of state of emergency |date=29 August 2008 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> It was, however, re-imposed in September, despite the objections of pro-democracy members of Parliament.<ref>[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200809/s2361100.htm?tab=pacific "Tongan PM re-imposes emergency regulations"], ABC Radio Australia, 10 September 2008</ref><ref name="RNZ_41922">{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/179225/anger-in-tonga-after-emergency-police-powers-put-back-in-place |title=Anger in Tonga after emergency police powers put back in place |date=10 September 2008 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

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,<ref name=Ratuva2019>{{cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvq4c0m7.8 |chapter=Thy kingdom burn: Hegemony, resistance and securitisation in Tonga |title=Contested Terrain: Reconceptualising Security in the Pacific |author=Steven Ratuva |publisher=ANU Press |date=2019 |page=186 |jstor=j.ctvq4c0m7.8 |isbn=9781760463199 |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> with former Police Minister [[Clive Edwards (Tonga)|Clive Edwards]] also being charged after claiming that soldiers had engaged in indiscriminate beatings.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tonga MP says hundreds brutally beaten by soldiers|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166432/tonga-mp-says-hundreds-brutally-beaten-by-soldiers |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=28 November 2006|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> Democratic leader [[ʻAkilisi Pōhiva]] was arrested on charges of sedition, along with Edwards and a number of other pro-democracy MPs and activists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167319/tongan-pro-democracy-leader-released-on-bail,-facing-charges-of-sedition |title=Tongan pro-democracy leader released on bail, facing charges of sedition |publisher=RNZ |date=19 January 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tonga's former police minister charged with two counts of sedition |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167612/tonga%27s-former-police-minister-charged-with-two-counts-of-sedition |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=2 February 2007 |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167498/tonga-police-confirm-third-mp-arrested-in-connection-with-nuku'alofa-riot |title=Tonga police confirm third MP arrested in connection with Nuku'alofa riot |publisher=RNZ |date=30 January 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/03/01/tonga-rugby-chairman-charged-november-riots |title=TONGA RUGBY CHAIRMAN CHARGED IN NOVEMBER RIOTS |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=1 March 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124183749/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/03/0701/fifthtonga-tonganrugby-lawmakerchairman-charged-riotnovember-proberiots |titleurl-status=FIFTH TONGAN LAWMAKER CHARGED IN RIOT PROBE |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=7 March 2007 |accessdate=29 Decemberdead 2020}}</ref> FormerIn Policetotal Ministerthere [[Clivewere Edwards320 (Tonga)|Cliveprosecutions Edwards]]related was also charged after claiming that soldiers had engaged in indiscriminate beatings in the wake ofto the riots.<ref>{{Cite news|titlename=Tonga MP says hundreds brutally beaten by soldiers|url=https:Ratuva2019//www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166432/tonga-mp-says-hundreds-brutally-beaten-by-soldiers |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=28 November 2006|accessdate=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tonga’sNo-one formerwas policeconvicted ministerof chargedany withpolitical two counts of sedition |url=https://wwwcharge.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167612/tonga%27s-former-police-minister-charged-with-two-counts-of-sedition |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=2 February 2007 |accessdate=29 December 2020}}</ref> Most non-sedition charges against MPs were withdrawn in September 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/172577/crown-withdraws-six-charges-against-five-people's-representatives-in-tonga |title=Crown withdraws six charges against five People's Representatives in Tonga |publisher=RNZ |date=11 September 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> and all were ultimately acquitted in March 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/182788/five-accused-found-not-guilty-of-sedition-in-tonga |title=Five accused found not guilty of sedition in Tonga |publisher=RNZ |date=30 March 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/186051/five-acquitted-on-charges-of-seditious-conspiracy-in-tonga |title=Five acquitted on charges of seditious conspiracy in Tonga |publisher=RNZ |date=14 September 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> Democracy campaigner Sione Halafuka Vea was acquitted in July 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/tongan-democracy-campaigner-not-guilty-20070727-gdqpp3.html |title=Tongan democracy campaigner 'not guilty' |publisherwork=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=27 July 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/07/27/tongan-charged-sedition-found-not-guilty |title=TONGAN CHARGED WITH SEDITION FOUND NOT GUILTY |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=27 July 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626023022/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/07/27/tongan-charged-sedition-found-not-guilty |url-status=dead }}</ref> Charges against businesswoman [['Ofa Simiki]], who the government had claimed masterminded the riots, were withdrawn in April 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2008/05/02/tonga-withdraws-sedition-charge-against-woman |title=TONGA WITHDRAWS SEDITION CHARGE AGAINST WOMAN |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=2 May 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902104612/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2008/05/02/tonga-withdraws-sedition-charge-against-woman |url-status=dead }}</ref> MP [[ʻIsileli Pulu]] was acquitted on charges of abetting murder and arson in July 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/178221/tonga's-number-two-people's-rep-cleared-on-riot-related-charges |title=Tonga's number two People's Rep cleared on riot-related charges |publisher=RNZ |date=14 July 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> Sedition charges against broadcaster [[Sione Sangster Saulala]] were also dismissed that month.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/178274/tonga's-judiciary-described-as-independent |title=Tonga's judiciary described as independent |publisher=RNZ |date=16 July 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> Charges against Edwards were dismissed in May 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/4339975/Tonga-Power-to-the-people |title=Tonga: Power to the People |publisherwork=Sunday Star Times |date=14 November 2010 |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

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 Tongan general election|2010 election]], itself preceded by constitutional reform.<ref>{{cite web|title=Background Notes, Tonga|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/tonga/191080.htm|accessdateaccess-date=10 February 2013|author=U.S. Department of State|authorlink=United States Department of State|date=31 October 2011}}</ref>