WNAM MONITORING: The French government’s recent violation of fundamental human rights in New Caledonia is further evidence of the Paris government’s lack of political will to implement the UN General Assembly resolutions regarding decolonization, said Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group Abbas Abbasov as he addressed a round table held in a hybrid format on the topics “Decolonization, international diplomacy and the role of communication in the modern world,”.
Abbasov emphasized the fundamental right to self-determination and reiterated the Baku Initiative Group’s support for those striving for a brighter and dignified future for their people.
“The Baku Initiative Group will continue to support the Kanak people’s struggle for independence. We express our full solidarity with the Kanak people and support their fair struggle against the expansion of voter ranks. We also demand the repeal of the amendments proposed by the French authorities. We call on France to stop its neo-colonial policy and ensure Kanak people’s right to self-determination,” Abbasov stressed.
The conference’s purpose is to raise global awareness about widespread human rights violations in New Caledonia and other French colonies, and to discuss joint cooperation in the field of communication with respect to fight against neo-colonialism – the new phase of colonialism still ongoing in Africa.
The event highlighted the violence by French security forces against peaceful protests by indigenous Kanak people in New Caledonia, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with more than 10 civilians killed and hundreds injured and arrested.
The French government’s decision to shut down access to New Caledonia and impose an illegal curfew has grossly violated the fundamental rights of the Kanaks—the island’s original inhabitants. Their freedom of expression and opinion has been severely restricted to conceal the atrocities committed by French police and gendarmerie from the world community.
The Baku initiative group arranged the hybrid press conference to break the information blockade and allow local officials to report on the situation on the island.
