Dr. Rhoda Arrindell returned right here just lately from representing the One St. Martin Affiliation (One SXM) on the “Congress of French Colonies,” in Baku, capital metropolis of Azerbaijan, July 17 – 18.
The One St. Martin president stated that on behalf of the group she pledged assist and signed the declaration for a world entrance for liberation and independence on the convention, organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).
One SXM defines itself as an affiliation for “fostering higher unity among the many individuals of St. Martin … traditionally ONE nation.” Its members and the viewers of its dwell weekly radio and Fb simulcast are drawn from each elements of the island and the St. Martin diaspora.
The BIG govt director Abbas Abbasov informed delegates from no less than seven territories, that as somebody born in his native Azerbaijan when it was a Russian colony, and now dwelling within the unbiased Azerbaijan, he understands what it looks like and stays dedicated to the wrestle to finish colonialism worldwide.
The convention delegates and organizers recalled the declaration of the United Nations’ Particular Decolonization Committee on June 21, 2024, that “the existence of colonialism in all its kinds and all its manifestations is incompatible with the United Nations Constitution, the Common Declaration of Human Rights.”
Arrindell stated that associated declarations had been additionally mentioned earlier than the delegates agreed to proceed with what the united entrance doc termed the “creation of an imminent worldwide liberation entrance for the liberation of the remaining French colonies.”
The convention delegations and individuals included representatives of pro-liberation teams in Kanaky, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guiana, Polynesia, and Corsica. Bonaire activists James Finies and Davika Bissessar had been current and declared their assist for the united entrance.
Organizers and convention individuals expressed an urgency for a world construction to convey to fore the problems at present going through the French colonies, highlighting the latest developments in Kanaky (New Caledonia), stated Arrindell.
The signatories of the “Worldwide Entrance for the Liberation of the Remaining French Colonies” referred to as on different patriotic organizations of the remaining territories to assist the wrestle for liberation of their respective nations, stated Arrindell.
In her presentation to the congress, the well-known St. Martin activist and educator stated, “As a platform for independence, One St. Martin denounces any try to work towards a ‘shared future’ within the Dutch Kingdom or the French Republic, and we welcome all assist to facilitate the transition to independence in a accountable approach.”
Arrindell, who’s the creator of the “groundbreaking” guide Language, Tradition, and Identification in St. Martin, additionally informed conference-goers that, “We don’t want to make the dominion or the republic perform higher, however want to forge alliances inside the Caribbean household, working collectively extra carefully in our bodies like CARICOM, OECS, or … the OAS. This isn’t simply due to our historic and cultural heritage or Caribbean id, however as a result of we’re satisfied that we share a standard future with a collective future.”
Arrindell’s invitation to the congress in Azerbaijan was a follow-up to the assembly in New York final June, the place she made the One St. Martin presentation as a part of the BIG program of yearlong actions aimed toward ending colonialism worldwide.
