There are cases of sexual violence reported in French boarding schools in Guiana - Jean-Pierre Massias
“Today’s event aims to discuss the initial report on the complex issue of boarding schools for indigenous children run by religious figures in French Guiana in the 20th century. These boarding schools were a kind of cultural assimilation, a deconstruction of the indigenous people’s culture, and a model of imperialism carried out by the church and public institutions, as these boarding schools were receiving state support. Our purpose is to consider whether there is a need to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate what happened, and then identify steps we will take regarding those mechanisms,” Jean-Pierre Massias, President of the Louis-Joinet Institute (IFJD), a participant of the colloquium entitled "Truth Commission on the indigenous population of Guiana" organized jointly by the Louis-Joinet Institute (IFJD-Institut Louis Joinet) at the National Assembly of France told SIA.
He noted that that due to those boarding schools in Guiana, the indigenous population was first forced to speak French, as well as change their religion, appearance, culture, and lifestyle. “Since then, the indigenous children, who have left their traditional way of life, further found themselves in another culture. They were forced to integrate into a model that was completely contrary to their own culture. This is a crucial factor, because adjusting to another culture caused serious traumas in future generations,” he mentioned.
In his reply to the question about the French government's recognition of these acts of violence Jean-Pierre Massias said: "We hope that the commission will entrust it with these issues. This is not so easy in France. Nevertheless, there have been similar cases, for instance, with regard to children transferred from Reunion to the French department of Creuse. There are also other cases of sexual abuse in Christian boarding schools in France. We are hopeful that commissions such as in Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Norway and other countries will also be established in France," Jean-Pierre Massias added.
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