A nuclear explosion from an atomic bomb test Photo: Supplied
French Polynesia's pro-independence opposition party says it will circulate a petition locally and internationally to back campaigns against France over the legacy of its nuclear weapons tests.
The leader of the Tavini Huiraatira Party Oscar Temaru says this means reminding the public of the complaints laid against French presidents with the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
He says this also applies to a similar complaint by the Maohi Protestant Church lodged with the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Paris stands accused of knowing of the negative impact of nuclear testing before 1963, yet proceeding with it in French Polynesia from 1966 onwards.
Mr Temaru was speaking after debriefing party members over his 12-hour detention for alleged abuse of public funds nine years ago by supporting a local radio station.
As yet no charges have been laid.
His party denounced the detention as part of a French effort to assassinate him politically.
