France, April 18 -- People in New Caledonia can now protest again - nearly a year after violent riots - following a French court decision to suspend bans that had remained in place in parts of the archipelago.

The administrative court of New Caledonia on Thursday ruled against a decree that still banned public gatherings in several municipalities.

The bans were introduced on 15 May 2024, when a state of emergency was declared in response to unrest over proposed voting reforms.

Although the state of emergency ended on 28 May last year, restrictions in some towns continued. These included a night-time curfew and limits on gatherings, transport, and the sale of alcohol and weapons.

The League of Human Rights (LDH) challenged the decree e...