French Polynesia officials call for global support in decolonization, economic development

Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Education, Youth and Sports of the Assembly of French Polynesia Tevaipaea Hoiore has said that the people of French Polynesia want to enjoy the opportunities of freedom and democracy.

He made the remarks at the conference titled "French Polynesia's right to decolonization: challenges and perspectives" held at Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (Parliament) on May 30, Report informs.

"We are waiting for support from Azerbaijan and the international community. Gaining sovereignty will allow us to preserve our unique heritage and protect the interests of the people," he said.

Tewope emphasised that young people in French Polynesia aged between 17 and 25 are leaving their homeland due to difficult economic conditions.

"They are travelling to France and joining the French army. This poses a serious threat to the strategic interests of our people. All this has also had a serious impact on the labour market, social demographics," he said.

Meanwhile, Cliff Lussan, Secretary of the Commission on Tourism and Culture of the Assembly of French Polynesia said that France's migration policy hinders the development of Polynesia's tourism potential and discourages foreign investors from tourism activities in the region.

Lussan noted that the migration restrictions have had a severe impact on the revenues of the tourism industry.

"These restrictions can have a detrimental effect on our entire economy. Island nations are facing the problem of colonialism today. We would like to sign security and environmental agreements with neighbouring countries. We should facilitate entry for tourists. The proper management of resources and the fight against climate change are important issues for our region. France is deliberately keeping our country under oppression and depriving us of economic development," Lussan said.

Continuing the event, Heinui Le Caill, Chairman of the Commission on Education, Youth and Sports of the Assembly of French Polynesia noted that the indigenous population of French Polynesia suffers from France's nuclear tests.

He said these nuclear tests have harmed the health of the local population, with an increase in the number of sick people due to radiation.

"We, the indigenous people, are suffering from France's nuclear tests. We demanded that France fulfil its obligations, but they conducted the tests against our will," he said.

Le Caill emphasised that since 1985, 910 million euros had been spent on the recovery of people affected by radiation, but 51 per cent of them had died.