New Caledonian activist: 'Conference hosted by Azerbaijan delivered our voice to the world'

The international conference hosted by Azerbaijan is a great opportunity to put forward recommendations regarding the situation of the Kanak people, Viro Xulue, an activist fighting for the independence of New Caledonia, who participated in the international conference Decolonization: Silent Revolution, told Report.

The conference was organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) at the UN headquarters in New York.

The activist noted that the Kanak people's desire for independence and their struggle for it makes the decolonization process in the region more relevant:

"First, I would like to express my gratitude to the Azerbaijani government and the Baku Initiative Group for organizing this international conference on decolonization. I come from Kanaky, New Caledonia, an island located in the Pacific Ocean, and I have joined here to defend and promote the rights of indigenous peoples, especially the Kanak people.

This conference is a great opportunity for me to put forward some recommendations regarding the situation in Kanaky, New Caledonia. As you know, last year there was an uprising in our region against colonialism that almost resembled a civil war. Today, we have gained an important opportunity to talk about the situation of the indigenous Kanak people and the decolonization process in New Caledonia."

The young activist added that the Kanak people are insistent on exercising their right to self-determination: "As you know, we are on the UN's list for decolonization, and we need this list to be preserved. Because the Kanak people's right to self-determination must be protected."