Parvana Valiyeva, a member of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament), was a guest on Nigeria's state radio "Sobi 101.9 FM Ilorin." She responded to questions from the radio's editor and host, Dare Akogun, regarding recent accusations from French officials Azerbaijan related to New Caledonia and the global decolonization process.
EDnews shares that interview below:
-Dr. Valiyeva, the French government has accused the Baku Initiative Group of attempting to destabilize its political control over New Caledonia. What is your response to these allegations?
- As you know, the Congress of the International Decolonization Front, which was founded in Azerbaijan, was held in New Caledonia recently. French officials refer to the decolonization process of islands as France’s internal affair and accuse the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) of interfering in France’s internal matters.
But fundamental human rights and the desire for freedom cannot be considered an internal issue of any country, and French officials—who claim their country to be the cradle of democracy—understand this well. There is no room for colonialism in the 21st century, and the right of these territories to self-determination must be recognized according to UNGA resolutions on decolonization, particularly the Resolution 1514 in 1960. This declaration emphasizes the right of all people to self-determination and calls for the swift and unconditional end to colonialism in all its forms. And the Resolution 77/148, adopted in 2022, focuses on the dissemination of information on decolonization, underscoring the importance of informing global public opinion about the decolonization process.
France, instead of listening to the legitimate demands of the people, is trying to divert attention by putting forward the narrative of foreign interference regarding its failed policies in the colonies. It attempts to portray those demanding decolonization, as well as BIG, as the guilty parties. However, BIG actually invites France to engage in cooperation.
-Can you explain the role of the Baku Initiative Group and why it was involved in discussions about New Caledonia’s political status?
- BIG gave new momentum to the decolonization process not only in New Caledonia, but in all overseas who seeks supports from BIG. As a global platform, it provided a forum for colonies to express their views, amplifying their voices to the international community. It raises the issue in international organizations and seeks to draw the UN’s attention to the problem of colonialism.
For this reason, supporters of independence from New Caledonia, French Polynesia, French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Vallis and Futuna, Corsica, Reunion as well as Mayotte (the Union of Comoros), political leaders, deputies, experts, etc. actively participate in the events organized by BIG both in Azerbaijan and abroad and amplifying their voices to the global community.
The International Decolonization Front has been established, and institutionalization for the struggle is already in place. As an İnternational NGO, BIG is actively engaged in this direction.
-Many territories around the world still struggle with post-colonial governance structures. Do you think the push for decolonization in New Caledonia is justified, and how does Azerbaijan view this issue on the global stage?
-Azerbaijan is deeply concerned with the ongoing colonialism and its reemerging manifestations in the XXI century. Azerbaijan called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to such a disgusting practice of neo-colonialism leading to forced assimilation, particularly in territories under French rule and initiated a new wave against neo-colonialism.
The fact that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, regularly raised this topic in prestigious international forums, and promoted the issue of the complete abolition of colonialism for the sake of justice and international law, was appreciated by the peoples living under colonial conditions in the past and now.
Azerbaijan promoted the values of multilateralism within the framework of its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, which brings together 120 countries, and with this aim, instigated the establishment of Parliament, Youth and Women`s Networks under the umbrella of the Non-Aligned Movement. During its presidency of the NAM, our country also assumed the role of the locomotive of the struggle against New colonial trends. BIG was also established during our chairmanship to the NAM.
Many territories around the world still struggle with post-colonial governance structures, including former African French colonies, Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Algeria, Tunis, Mali etc. But it seems they also take some strict decisions for broader push for sovereignty and decolonization in west Africa.
Azerbaijan will continue to promote and advocate for the decline of all forms of colonialism in the global stage. Because Independence is the legitimate right of the colonies. It can also be seen as the restoration of historical justice.
