As part of the annual meeting of the special Committee C24, created in connection with the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, on the initiative and organization of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), a conference at the UN headquarters has been held themed “Towards Independence and Fundamental Freedoms: C24's Role in Ending Colonialism,” the US bureau of Report informs.
The conference was attended by more than 40 officials, leaders of independence movements, decolonization experts, deputies and researchers from territories colonized by France and the Netherlands, including Corsica, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), Kanaky (New Caledonia), Saint Martin, Bonaire, as well as the US, France, Brazil, the Union of Comoros and the Netherlands.
The conference observed a minute’s silence in memory of civilians killed by French police and gendarmerie in New Caledonia.
During the first panel of the conference, an exchange of views took place on the negative consequences of assimilation and its negative impact on the culture, religion, and language of the indigenous population.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Caledonia, Mickael Forrest, spoke about the bloody crimes in the history of colonialism of mankind, France’s abuse of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the occupation policy pursued towards his country in gross violation of the norms and principles of international law: “France has been for many years ignoring the demands of international organizations and peoples fighting for independence and continues the policy of neo-colonialism.”
The minister thanked BIG for supporting the liberation struggle of peoples who suffered from colonization over the past period.