The UN Office at Geneva hosted Tuesday an international conference on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Consequences of French Colonialism, organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) on the margins of the 142nd session of the Human Rights Committee.
The conference brought together parliamentarians, members of the non-governmental organizations (NGO), political party leaders, experts, scientific figures, and researchers from the territories remaining under the French and Dutch colonial rule, including Martinique, New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, Bonaire, Saint Martin, French Polynesia, Mayot, French Guiana, Corsica, and Guiana, as well as members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The event featured a video presentation, highlighting the activity of the Baku Initiative Group, including the fight against the colonization system, as well as the conferences and events organized by BIG in this regard.
Addressing the conference, Abbas Abbasov, BIG Executive Director outlined the main goals of the organization, including putting an end to the colonial policy of France, the Netherlands and other countries, saving people from this heavy yoke, and helping the local population to achieve their basic freedoms.
Kemi Seba, a famous activist fighting for the rights of African nations, also attended the event. In his remarks, Seba shared the insights into his unlawful detention by the French police, and mistreatment he faced.
The discussions centered around the social, political, and ecological outcomes of the French and Dutch colonization policy, appealing the international community to support the decolonization process, as well as finding solutions, in line with the principles of international law, for recognizing the right for self-determination of the colonized peoples and building the just future.
The participants commended the efforts and expressed their gratitude to BIG for amplifying the voices of those oppressed by colonialism.
At the conclusion, participants donned T-shirts bearing the slogan "End French Colonialism!" and held a peaceful protest in front of the UN Office, holding placards.
Upon leaving the UN grounds, they joined Kanak protesters on the street outside the building.
