France poisoned women, children in Martinique with chemicals - MP

French National Assembly member from Martinique Marcellin Nadeau has said France poisoned women and children in Martinique with chemicals.

He made the remarks at the conference themed “Decolonization: Empowerment and Development of Women” organized by the Baku Initiative Group, Report informs.

Nadeau recalled the fact that France colonised Martinique: “They poisoned our people by Chlordecone. We don't know what consequences this might lead them, particularly women and children. What interest does France have in our countries? They neglect the problems of our countries. I am a member of a youth political party. The French Constitution does not recognize us as a people, and I, as a deputy, proposed amending the fundamental law. France must change its attitude towards us."

We do not know what consequences this may have for them, in particular for women and children. What interest of our countries to France? They neglect the problems of our countries. I am a member of a youth political party. The French constitution does not recognize us as a people and I, as a member of parliament, proposed to amend the basic law. France must change its attitude towards us".

Meanwhile, addressing the event, Vice President of the Movement of Environmentalists and Democrats for an Independent Martinique Representative Claudette Duhamel said that women in Martinique continue to fight discrimination and colonialism.

She emphasized that the women in Martinique suffered the most from France's colonial policy. "They were subjected to sexual violence, and slavery, while black women were subjected to terrible discrimination," she said.

Duhamel emphasized that women were unable to participate in the public life of the country and were forced to comply with the system.

"This had a negative impact on our political system: women could not participate in decision-making and society did not develop," she added.

Organized by the Baku Initiative Group, an event under the motto “Decolonization: Empowerment and Development of Women” has got underway in Baku.

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan – Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev attends the event.