Baku Hosts International Conference on Colonialism and the Erasure of Religious-National Identity
An international conference titled “Colonialism: Erasure of Religious-National Identity” recently took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event was organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) and the People’s Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG). Leaders and representatives from various independence movements in territories under colonial control of France and the Netherlands, such as Guadeloupe, French Guiana, New Caledonia, Corsica, and others, participated in the conference.
The conference focused on discussing the detrimental effects of colonialism on religious and national identities, including policies of assimilation imposed by colonial powers, erasure of local cultures, and the suppression of indigenous languages and traditions. Participants engaged in conversations about the impact of colonial policies, movements against colonialism, the protection of national heritage, the release of political prisoners, demands for reparations, and the neo-colonial practices of French and Dutch governments.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between BIG and UPLG, marking a commitment to collaborative efforts in the fight against colonialism. A symbolic gesture of solidarity was demonstrated through a flash mob in support of New Caledonian political prisoners detained by the French authorities. Additionally, participants signed a T-shirt featuring a photo of Christian Thein, a leader of the New Caledonian independence movement, and sent it to him as a token of solidarity.
The conference concluded with an open discussion and a question-and-answer session, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to combat colonialism and preserve religious and national identities. This gathering served as a platform for international exchange of ideas and strategies in the ongoing struggle against colonial oppression.
