“France’s coercion of the people of Martinique, who rose up to fight for their rights, is part of Paris’s official colonial policy.”
This was stated in a statement to “Report” by Zaur İbrahimli, chairman of the public trade union of the Social Economic Research Centre “Prioritet”.
The expert believes that France’s violent operation and use of force against peaceful protesters confirms that it has no intention of giving sovereignty to the people it enslaves in any way:
“The struggle of the people of Martinique to obtain sovereignty has been violently repressed many times by official Paris. At the same time, this issue has been disguised as political with falsified referendums. The supporters of independence have not been able to win in any referendum held in the French colonies.”
He said the secret to this is fraud.
“With these referendums, France literally justifies its colonial policy. One of the main reasons why the supporters of independence could not win in the referendums is that France pursues a policy of division in these societies, pitting different layers of society against each other. Unfortunately, those who protested the fraud of these referendums, including those on independence, force is used against the people.”
Z. Ibrahimli stressed that he is critical of France’s defence of its colonial policy in the 21st century.
“France uses its forces to suppress protesters. We have witnessed this in Caledonia. Not content with this, France also falsifies referendums justifying its colonial policy in the eyes of the whole world. It is questionable whether it is right for a member of the UN Security Council to pursue such a policy,” he said.
The expert noted that it is important for the relevant UN structures to make a political and legal assessment of this action by France. He said that the EU countries should not turn a blind eye to this.
“Although France talks about human rights and freedoms at every opportunity, if it does not refrain from these actions, it will look ridiculous for it to talk about the rights of other peoples besides human rights. France publishes reports on human rights. But it is the leading country in the global colonial policy. It is a pity that the world community and major international organizations do not turn a blind eye to this.”
Z. İbrahimli also stressed the importance of raising the current issue and for civil society to actively participate in the issue at the UN General Assembly meeting.
