BIG: Fight against colonialism aims to build just and equal future

The fight against colonialism aims to build a just and equal future, Abbas Abbasov, executive director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), said at the international scientific conference themed "Imperial Structure: Ideologies and Realities of Colonialism" held in Baku.

Report quotes Abbasov as saying today's conference is distinguished by its scientific approach to colonialism and its assessment through the prism of international organizations:

"Many people living under oppression have used this platform to make their voices heard and to present the grave consequences of colonial policies to the international community. Our particular advantage is that some SMEs are directly involved in this issue within the structures of the United Nations. Colonialism is an urgent challenge for modern leaders."

Abbasov said that today, manifestations of colonialist policies are still being witnessed in various regions across the world:

"Sometimes it is through political, sometimes through economic, financial, cultural and legal structures that people are dominated and made dependent. Over the past two years, we have organized about 14 international events dedicated to colonialism. We firmly believe that any form of modern colonialism, whether direct or indirect, must be eliminated through diverse and serious international legal mechanisms, public governance and multilateral cooperation."

The BIG executive director believes that the sustainability of structures combating colonialism is based on the principles reflected in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and numerous resolutions of the UN General Assembly:

"This conference aims to deepen our understanding of how colonial ideologies were constructed, institutionalized, and justified, and more importantly, how their effects continue to shape contemporary world life. Our goal is to support the intellectual and moral foundations of a world that fully respects the right of all peoples to self-determination, equality, and cultural autonomy."