By Dare Akogun
The fight against colonialism and its modern forms has been reignited as the Baku Initiative Group and anti-colonialism stakeholders join forces to condemn the French government’s assimilation policy on colonized territory.
At a recent international conference titled “The Path to Decolonization: Consequences of Assimilation and its Implications for the Realization of Human Rights,” organized by the Baku Initiative Group at the UN Vienna office, representatives from 20 countries convened on April 30, 2024, to address this pressing issue.
Among the participants were leaders from territories directly impacted by French colonial policies, including New Caledonia, French Polynesia, French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Wallis and Futuna, Corsica, and the Solomon Island Union.
The conference also welcomed independent experts, think tanks, as well as local and foreign media representatives. Additionally, diplomats from 25 countries, including 16 ambassadors accredited to the Vienna branch of the UN, participated in the event.
At the conference stakeholders critique colonial assimilation policies and explore avenues for mitigating their adverse effects.
Key topics discussed included “The Adverse Effects of Colonial Assimilation Policies on Indigenous Communities”, “Advancing Human Rights in the Decolonization Process by Legal Frameworks and International Obligations”, and “Artificial Environmental Impacts as a Pillar of Forced Migration”.
Participants analyzed the concept of assimilation applied by France, focusing on its negative effects on local communities and the protection of the rights of individuals subjected to this process.
During the conference, representatives from former and current French colonies emphasized the urgency of reducing the effects of assimilation and achieving tangible results in the direction of decolonization to safeguard national identity.
The event was hailed as a crucial starting point for future projects aimed at preserving and educating local culture for younger generations.
A significant memorandum was signed between the Tavini Huiraatira political party and the Baku Initiative Group, outlining prospects for future relations and cooperation.
After the event concluded, attendees penned an open letter to international organizations.
Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, emphasized the group’s primary objective of amplifying the voices of those impacted by colonialism.
He stated, “At the Baku Initiative Group, we have successfully achieved this goal, enabling those impacted by colonialism to express their concerns through established platforms.
“We have managed to inform the world community about the developments taking place in these regions, as well as the heavy consequences of French colonial policy,” he said.
It is worth noting that the Baku Initiative Group continues to support the just fight of France’s colonies overseas, reaffirming its firm stance against colonialism and neo-colonialism.
