BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. The Maore Committee
of the Comoros has sent a letter to French MPs working against
Azerbaijan.


This is reflected in a report by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).


According to the report, in the letter, the Maore Committee
accused the French MPs of being unaware of France's colonial
history and of neglecting the indigenous peoples of the Overseas
Territories.


"These peoples have fought for freedom and self-determination
for many years, suffered great losses and sacrifices. Despite this,
you still present these territories as the inviolable property of
France. In this regard, while trying to reinterpret history, are
you forgetting slavery, mass deportations, the appropriation of
indigenous peoples' lands, murders, and other grave consequences of
colonial rule carried out under the guise of "French sovereignty?",
the letter emphasized.


The letter mentioned the MPs' approach as a complete denial of
the fact of colonization, the process of occupation of these
territories, and the restriction of the will of the indigenous
peoples by force.


"Undoubtedly, all these crimes are deeply engraved in the
historical and collective memory of these peoples. Therefore, the
facts must be resolutely condemned by all states and peoples that
respect freedom, justice, and the rights of peoples, and a
consistent struggle must be waged to eliminate their consequences,"
the letter said.


The letter pointed out that each of the territories called
"Overseas Territories of France" has a specific historical and
political context for the occupation as a result of colonial
policy. However, there are many common features that unite the
history of these territories. These include disregard for the
political will of indigenous peoples, the appropriation of their
lands and resources, the deepening of social and economic
inequality, as well as the suppression of liberation movements by
violent means.


France is currently pursuing an aggressive policy to regain full
control of its traditional sphere of influence on the African
continent, as well as the territories it calls "its" Overseas
Territories. This policy is directed against the free will and
right to self-determination of the peoples living in these
territories.


The long-term struggle for national liberation in the Comoros
resulted in a referendum on self-determination on December 22,
1974. The results of the referendum unequivocally demonstrated the
will of the Comoros people to achieve independence and restore
their national sovereignty.


The letter also noted that France doesn't respect the borders
and territorial integrity of the Comoros state, and contrary to the
will of the Comoros people expressed through a referendum and the
requirements of international law, France illegally retains control
of the island of Mayotte, which belongs to the Comoros. Later,
Mayotte became the 101st department of France, and later one of the
most remote regions of the European Union.


However, Mayotte has never been a full participant in France's
general and equitable development programs. On the contrary, the
application of special and exceptional laws on the island, the lack
of even the minimum necessary facilities in the areas of health,
housing, education, and security, the deepening of social
inequality, and the high level of violence among young people are
the ongoing consequences of France's colonial policy.


The letter called on the MPs to confront France's own colonial
past and current policies, and to learn to accept historical facts
as they are, rather than trying to rewrite history through absurd
claims and untrue stories.


"We must not forget that it is impossible to prevent the
struggle of peoples for freedom, dignity, and self-determination.
This also fully applies to the peoples living in the Overseas
Territories and facing the consequences of colonial rule," the
letter added.