Baku Initiative Group announces support for families of political prisoners

The first Congress on French Colonization commenced today in Baku, supported by the People’s Union for the Freedom of Guadeloupe and the Baku Initiative Group. The two-day event gathers leaders from over 15 political parties and independence movements from Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Caribbean, and Antilles. Delegates from Dutch colonies Bonaire and Saint Martin are participating as guests of honor.

The congress aims to coordinate strategies and foster a unified platform to combat French colonialism, with representatives sharing effective practices and strategies for self-determination. Discussions are expected to highlight the numerous crimes and illegal actions committed by the French government against indigenous populations in its colonies.

The Baku Initiative Group, established during the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku in July 2023, declared the fight against colonialism. The group has organized around 15 international conferences, including significant events at the UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna.

Jean-Jakob Bisep, Secretary-General of the People’s Union for the Freedom of Guadeloupe, thanked the Azerbaijani government for hosting the congress. "Azerbaijan is taking bold steps. This is the first time we have held such an event in Baku with the support of the Baku Initiative Group under the UN umbrella," Bisep said. He emphasized the importance of raising global awareness about colonialism and mobilizing international support to pressure France.

New Caledonia’s Foreign Minister Mikael Forrest stressed the need for a unified political strategy. "We need to strengthen our platforms and hold discussions. The Baku Initiative Group has given us the opportunity to come together and think about future platforms. We need to find our place in the new world order," Forrest stated.

Isabella Kaloi, a member of the New Caledonian party, condemned the actions of the French state, highlighting ongoing conflicts and the suppression of voting rights. "The French state’s actions are unacceptable and must be discussed internationally," she said. Kaloi thanked the Baku Initiative Group for organizing the congress and called for international attention to the human rights violations in French territories.

Maria Saliga, a New Caledonian Member of Parliament, recalled the long-term suffering caused by France’s nuclear tests in Polynesia. "France is a terrorist state. It continues to rule areas it refuses to free," Saliga declared, condemning the recent illegal arrests of independence movement members in New Caledonia.

Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, announced support for families of political prisoners and scholarships for young people from French colonies to study in Azerbaijan. "Starting this year, young people from those areas can benefit from this scholarship," Abbasov stated, reaffirming the group’s commitment to assisting those affected by colonial policies.

The congress is expected to conclude tomorrow with a declaration outlining the next steps in the fight against French colonialism and the promotion of self-determination for affected territories.