BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 1. Young people are the
driving force in the struggle against colonialism, said Orlan
Paristan, a member of the "Ka Ubuntu" liberation movement, in his
speech at the International Youth Forum entitled "Strengthening
role of youth in postcolonial era," Trend reports.
According to him, the unemployment rate among young people on
the island reaches 24%, while on the island of Mayotte this figure
is 59%.
He noted that Reunion Island has been living under the dual
pressure of capitalism and French colonialism for 400 years, and
this situation affects young people the most,
Paristas emphasized that these figures are the result of an
imperialist system that weakens societies for the sake of economic
interests.
"Young people in France's colonial territories face poverty,
psychological problems and increasing violence," he said.
The activist, who also touched on historical facts in his
speech, said that between 1962 and 1984, more than 1,600 children
were forcibly separated from their families and taken to France.
According to him, this is one of the real and hidden aspects of
colonial policy.
Paristas also criticized the militarization of youth, noting
that young people are recruited into the French army through
special military programs.
He emphasized problems in the field of education, stressing that
young people are forced to leave the country due to the lack of
many specialties on the island.
"As a result, the island is losing its intellectual potential
and foreigners are taking over positions that could be held by
local youth. In the modern era, information opportunities allow
young people to see alternative perspectives.
The preservation of culture and language is also one of the main
directions of the struggle, and the awareness of young people is a
basic condition for building a decolonial future," he
concluded.
