An international conference “Colonialism: Erasure of Religious-National Identity” was held in Baku.
Report informs that the conference was opened by Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), and Jean-Jacob Bisep, Secretary General of the People’s Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG).
After the opening speech, a discussion of issues dedicated to the fight against colonialism began, and speeches were heard on the topics of “The purposeful policy of colonial powers to change national-religious identity and, as a result, its erasure”, “Forced assimilation and erasure of local culture”, “The factor of national identity in the struggle for independence”, “Replacement of local customs and traditions with colonial rule” and “The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
An exhibition dedicated to the fight against colonialism was also organized at the international conference.
Conference participants from around the world held a flash mob to express their solidarity with New Caledonian political prisoners who were arrested by the French authorities for participating in peaceful protests.
At the same time, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the BIG and the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG) party during the event.
In addition, conference participants signed a T-shirt with a photo of the imprisoned leader of the New Caledonian independence movement, Christian Thein, and sent it to the political prisoner as a souvenir through his family members.
The conference concluded with a free discussion and question-and-answer session on the fight against colonialism.
An international conference "Colonialism: Erasure of Religious-National Identity" has kicked off in Baku.
Report informs that the conference, organized by the Baku Initiative Group, is attended by leaders and representatives of independence movements from the territories under colonial control of France and the Netherlands - Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Kanaki (New Caledonia), Corsica, Martinique, Reunion, Bonaire, French Polynesia, Mayotte, Wallis and Futuna, as well as families of political prisoners.
The event will discuss such disturbing issues as the erasure of religious and national identity under colonial rule, the assimilation policy implemented by colonial states against indigenous peoples, including the prohibition or restriction of the native language, pressure on religious beliefs, the purposeful change of names and surnames, and the writing of history and culture in accordance with imperial policy.
There will also be an exchange of views on the consequences of colonial policy, global movements against colonialism, the protection of national heritage, the release of political prisoners, reparations demands, as well as the neo-colonial policies of the French and Dutch governments.
In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed between the Baku Initiative Group and one of the independence movements during the conference.