GENEVA: The United Nations Office at Geneva recently hosted an international conference focusing on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the consequences of French colonialism. Organized by the Baku Initiative Group, the event coincided with the 142nd session of the Human Rights Committee and convened various stakeholders, including parliamentarians, NGO members, political leaders, and researchers from territories still affected by colonial rule. According to Trend News Agency, the conference featured a diverse group of attendees from regions such as Martinique, New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, French Polynesia, and others, along with members of the diplomatic community at the UN in Geneva. A video presentation highlighted the Baku Initiative Group's efforts against colonialism, showcasing their organized events and advocacy work. Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of BIG, addressed the conference, outlining the organization's mission to end colonial policies by France, the Netherlands, and other nations. He emphasized the importance of liberating affected populations to secure their basic freedoms. The event also featured Kemi Seba, an activist known for advocating African rights, who shared his experiences of detention and mistreatment by French authorities. Discussions at the conference focused on the social, political, and ecological impacts of French and Dutch colonial policies. Participants appealed to the international community for support in the decolonization process and sought solutions that align with international law principles to recognize the self-determination rights of colonized peoples. Attendees expressed gratitude to BIG for amplifying the voices of those impacted by colonialism. Concluding the event, participants wore T-shirts emblazoned with "End French Colonialism!" and held a peaceful protest outside the UN Office. They later joined Kanak protesters in a demonstration on the street, continuing their advocacy against colonial practices.