BIG executive director: 'Pressure won't affect our organization's activities in any case'

Regions under colonial oppression see Azerbaijan as a ray of hope, Abbas Abbasov, executive director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), told Report during the 35th session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent at UN Headquarters in New York.

Abbasov spoke about BIG's success over the past years and projects implemented to liberate regions under colonial oppression.

"BIG is an international non-governmental organization established in July 2023 by the decision of national liberation movements in regions under colonial oppression. Since its establishment, our organization has held more than 20 international events and published reports submitted to relevant international organizations. Recently, we prepared and submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Committee about France's colonial policy regarding events in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. After this report, I spoke at the UN Headquarters in Geneva. As a result, the UN Human Rights Committee demanded a report from the French government for the first time in 10 years. Paris committed to preparing a report on the situation in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and to submit a human rights report regarding the use of additional troops in New Caledonia and Martinique. This was another success for the Baku Initiative Group," Abbasov noted.

He emphasized that international organizations and the global community have begun demanding accountability from France.

"Today, we are participating as guests in the 35th session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent at UN Headquarters. This organization invited BIG to participate in the session. I made a statement there expressing BIG's open support for regions under colonial oppression and provided information about cooperation with African peoples," he noted.

Abbasov also spoke about obstacles BIG faces in its activities: "Naturally, our organization faces certain pressures from time to time. We have repeatedly observed various forms of pressure on our participants. However, this will not affect our organization's activities in any way. We will continue holding our international events this year and in subsequent years, as we did last year. Speaking internationally, we convey information about the situation in countries under colonial oppression to a wider audience. Additionally, our organization prepares reports and conducts research on existing problems. This helps identify specific facts about the current situation."

He also discussed the UN's support for BIG's activities.

"Five of BIG's international events were held at UN headquarters. We have begun close cooperation with UN decolonization committees C-4 and C-24. As a result of this cooperation, representatives from New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Martinique provided information about their regions' situations to the C-4 and C-24 committees. We also cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council and Human Rights Committee. These platforms provide BIG with broad opportunities to have our voice heard internationally," he said.

Abbasov emphasized that regions under colonial oppression now see Azerbaijan as a 'ray of hope.'

"Sympathy for our country and organization increased even more during Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Azerbaijan's activities in accordance with the organization's basic principles during its NAM chairmanship strengthened this sympathy. The Non-Aligned Movement is an international organization created for decolonization, and Azerbaijan closely cooperated with regions under colonial oppression in accordance with these principles. The Baku Initiative Group was created as a result of this cooperation. These countries' sympathy for Azerbaijan is great and growing daily," Abbas Abbasov added.