France criticized in UN report for lack of information on Polynesia and New Caledonia

The UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) adopted the final report of the regional event organized in Venezuela from May 14-16 this year at its meeting on June 21 in New York.

According to Report, the document reflects the proposals of the Azerbaijani government to hold a regional seminar of the committee in 2025. Committee members recognized the importance of participation by other UN member states not part of the special committee and welcomed Azerbaijan's participation.

The Special Committee expressed concern that France did not provide information on French Polynesia and New Caledonia in accordance with the provisions of Article 73(e) of the UN Charter. The importance of obtaining reliable information about the situation in these territories was emphasized.

The statement by the chairman of the French Polynesia Assembly on the creation of a special committee on decolonization and the launch of a political education program was taken into account.

The final report also mentioned statements by the representative of the Kanaks and the Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), who noted that France had published voter lists, which caused political tension, and requested the urgent dispatch of an international mediation mission.

The statement emphasizes that New Caledonia's presence on the list of non-self-governing territories is guaranteed and will be maintained. It expressed deep concern about the current situation in the region.

On June 21, at an international conference organized by the Baku Initiative Group at the UN headquarters in New York on "Towards Independence and Fundamental Freedoms: The Role of the C-24 Committee in Ending Colonialism," representatives of various independence movements condemned the violence of the colonial country France in New Caledonia, Corsica, and Martinique. They expressed dissatisfaction with the colonial policies of France and the Netherlands and condemned the violation of indigenous peoples' rights.

The UN Special Committee on Decolonization organized the event as part of the annual C-24 meeting. The event was attended by Richard Tuheiava, political director of the Tavini party in French Polynesia, and members of independence movements from Saint Martin, Corsica, Martinique, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, and Bonaire. They expressed dissatisfaction with French and Dutch colonial rule and condemned the violation of indigenous peoples' rights, including resource plundering and disregard for international obligations.

Participants expressed deep gratitude to Azerbaijan for supporting the demands and voices of the peoples represented at the event and expressed confidence in the approach of independence with the support of the Baku Initiative Group, acting as an international platform.

At the panel discussion "Azerbaijani Non-Governmental Organizations: Results and Goals," held on June 24 in the Zangilan district, Abbas Abbasov, chairman of the Baku Initiative Group Public Association, touched upon Azerbaijan's struggle against neo-colonialism. He emphasized that Azerbaijan will continue its policy of supporting decolonization initiatives and will take additional steps in this direction. The Baku Initiative Group intends to continue active work at the international level in this key direction.

On June 26, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on France to ensure the rights of political activists in New Caledonia. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted the need to protect the rights of the archipelago's residents and recalled the detention of 11 activists of the New Caledonia National Liberation Movement, including Ten Christian, president of the Caledonian Union party.

The diplomat noted that among those detained are well-known political figures of the Kanak national liberation movement. She emphasized that the arrests and forced eviction of Kanak activists from New Caledonia provoked a new stage of tension in the archipelago and exacerbated the current political situation in the region. Zakharova expressed the opinion that the current socio-political crisis in New Caledonia is a consequence of insufficient progress in its decolonization process.