Baku Initiative Group denounces Macron government's violations of Kanak freedoms Shining a light on injustice

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has expressed congratulations to the Kanak people for successfully securing important concessions from the French authorities led by Emmanuel Macron, stemming from their ongoing protests for freedom.

The congratulatory statement highlights a historic moment, noting that for the first time since the Nouméa Agreement was signed between the French government and the Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation (FLNKS) in 1998, the French side has committed to addressing several demands put forth by the Kanak people, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

BIG expressed its firm belief that the Kanak people's struggle for freedom will ultimately lead to their long-sought independence, a key aspiration of the local population.

“For several months, peaceful protests against French colonialism and the egregious violations of the Kanak people's rights and freedoms by the Macron government have persisted in New Caledonia. These demonstrations have tragically resulted in the deaths of over ten civilians at the hands of French security forces, alongside hundreds of arrests. Notably, prominent figures of the FLNKS, including movement leader Christian Thein, have been unlawfully detained and moved to Lyon,” the statement from the group reads.

The Baku Initiative Group has been supportive of the families of these political prisoners since the onset of the protests and will continue to offer its backing.

The message further emphasized that Macron's administration has finally recognized that it cannot stifle peaceful protests through violence and has been compelled to make concessions.

“In a significant shift, the French government has committed to fulfilling a number of demands from the Kanak people for the first time since the signing of the Nouméa Accord in 1998. The protests that began in New Caledonia have rapidly spread to other French colonies, forcing the government to implement the following concessions:

• Colonial matters will henceforth be managed directly by the Prime Minister, rather than the Minister of Overseas Territories.
• The Presidents of the French National Assembly and Senate are scheduled to visit New Caledonia to initiate dialogue.
• An inter-ministerial delegation, under the Prime Minister and the Minister of Overseas Territories, will engage in negotiations with New Caledonia, a move previously resisted by the French government.
• Planned provincial elections in New Caledonia, initially set for late 2024, will now be postponed until late 2025, as decided by the chambers of the French Parliament.
• The constitutional law adopted in May 2024, which allowed for an unlawful increase in the number of voters in New Caledonia, will not be presented to the French Congress for a vote. The French president is expected to formally announce this in November.

This means the French government can no longer grant voting rights to migrants intentionally resettled in New Caledonia,” the congratulatory message concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova