UN under fire for colony silence

THE United Nations’ silence on the implementation of decolonisation mandates is deafening, says Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan.

Speking at the UN in New York, Bhagwan said there was a clear lack of accountability vis-à-vis implementation of decolonization resolutions on territories including Maohi Nui (French Polynesia).

“Recalling that the third International Decade was supposed to focus on small island Territories, the Special Committee’s silence on the implementation of decolonization mandates is deafening,” Bhagwan said.

He suggested that a work programme would give member states valuable insight into the situation and separate fact from fiction, he said, recommending that such an approach be initiated without the participation of the administering power.

The PCC accompanied the Maohi Nui delegation to the UN to show the solidarity of Pacific churches with the decolonisation movement in the French-held territory.

Richard Tuheiava of the Tavini Huirratira Group, said that the political status of Ma’ohi-Nui had not changed since 2013 despite cosmetic adjustments to France’s Autonomy Statute .

Tuheiava said the statute attempted to avoid a true self-determination process.