Baku Initiative Group holds conference in Rome devoted to Corsica's sovereignty French assimilationism condemned

A thematic conference titled “National Identity, Resistance, and Sovereignty: Prospects for Corsica” has opened in Rome, organised by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) in cooperation with Nazione, a movement advocating for the island’s independence from France.

The event is attended by leaders of the movement, representatives of Italian think tanks, and experts on decolonisation issues, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

In his speech, BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov stated that France is violating human rights by restricting the use of the Corsican language and suppressing local culture. He stressed that such assimilationist policies are a cause for serious concern.

Then the conference heard a statement from Azerbaijani Parliament member Tural Ganjaliyev, who emphasised that France's refusal to recognise Corsican as an official language, along with judicial bans on its use, undermines the national identity of the Corsican people.

Furthermore, the conference attendees declared that the Corsicans’ struggle for self-determination and independence is part of a broader wave of resistance against France’s colonial policy. The event also features discussions on mechanisms to protect Corsicans' rights through the UN and other international organisations.

Notably, the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has been actively involved in advocating for Corsican independence from French colonial rule, particularly since 2024. Their efforts have included public condemnations of French actions, international appeals, and the formation of a broader anti-colonial coalition.

In December 2024, BIG sent an appeal to Pope Francis, urging him to consider Corsica's decolonisation during his visit to the island. The letter highlighted the Corsican people's struggle to maintain their identity and sovereignty under French rule, restrictions on the Corsican language and the island's historical struggles for autonomy.

On June 20, 2024, BIG organised a conference at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing together representatives from various territories seeking independence from France. The conference aimed to highlight the ongoing colonial issues and advocate for the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

By Khagan Isayev