Today, the VIDEO Statement of the Chairman of Azerbaijan National NGO Forum Ramil Iskandarli on the 65th anniversary of first France’s nuclear test in Algeria was shown at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council inn Geneva.
“Honorable Chair,
This year is a 65th anniversary of the first French nuclear test in the Algerian desert, which took place on February 13, 1960. On that tragic day, France detonated its first nuclear bomb in the southwestern Algeria, resulting in a devastating humanitarian and environmental catastrophe. The consequences of this disaster continue to cast a long shadow over present and future generations. This nuclear test was not an isolated event but marked the beginning of a series of 16 other subsequent tests.
France should take a full historical and legal responsibility for the consequences of its nuclear tests in Algeria, implementing practical measures to address the resulting damage, including full disclosure of all related documents, identification of radioactive waste burial sites, environmental remediation of contaminated areas, and fair compensation for victims, ensuring their access to adequate healthcare and support. This colonial mindset aligns with broader patterns of racial discrimination against Algerians by the French state.
We emphasize the urgent need for the French government to fully acknowledge the nuclear crimes committed by France in Algeria and to accept legal and moral responsibility, which should be accompanied by fair compensation for the victims.
Thank you.”