Overseas Territories Research Articles

Tlatelolco Treaty: The Global South’s Postcolonial Contestation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime

This article demonstrates how Global South countries tried to manage global pressures and preserved nuclear scientific ambitions via post-colonial understandings. By resorting to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), this work states this treaty operated as a response to arguably colonial-minded nonproliferation structures and, in this sense, refined existing instruments through a Latin American initiative. The lessons from this example are still crucial because it represented the first well-accomplished Global South initiative to establish a fully-fledged Nuclear-Free-Zone area. In so being, Latin American countries acquiesced to global nuclear rules by requiring some concessions from great powers. For instance, the Treaty of Tlatelolco’s Additional Protocols I and II require that foreign countries with overseas territories in Latin America and nuclear-armed countries assumed not to perform tests or stock atomic weapons in the region. Employing a post-colonial theoretical approach, this article qualitative analyzes primary sources to unveil some peculiar regional tendencies from Latin America that encouraged countries to provide a response for international mechanisms erstwhile under formulation to curb nuclear proliferation according to great powers’ understandings.

From terra incognita to hotspot: the largest South Pacific green turtle nesting population in the forgotten reefs of New Caledonia

AbstractThe green turtle Chelonia mydas is a large marine turtle present in tropical and subtropical seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List based on the trend of nesting populations at 32 sites, of which only three are in the Pacific Ocean. New Caledonia is a sui generis overseas territory of France in the south-west Pacific Ocean c. 1,210 km east of Australia. The presence of green turtles in New Caledonian waters is known, although the main nesting sites are far from the main island, on remote uninhabited islands. Since 1988 field missions to these remote reefs, namely d'Entrecasteaux, Bellona and Chesterfield, have collected data to quantify the nesting of green turtles in New Caledonia. For the first time we analyse the data collected during these missions. D'Entrecasteaux, Bellona and Chesterfield Reefs host a large nesting colony of green turtles, with the upper credible estimate of nesting activities reaching 150,000 nesting tracks in some years. These numbers exceed the estimated number of green turtle activities in the Pacific. The trend of the number of nesting activities is stable and has the same relationship with the Southern Oscillation Index as observed at Australian nesting sites. Our recommendations for the French authorities are to continue monitoring these populations, collect new demographic parameters and ensure the protection of these remote reefs, which should be considered a national treasure for New Caledonia.

The future of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands marine protected area in a changing environment: The choice between industrial fisheries, or ecosystem protection

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) comprise an Overseas Territory of the UK. For over two centuries, the islands and surrounding waters were subject to serial over-exploitation of commercially valuable marine species. First seals, then whales, and later some species of fish were harvested to virtual economic extinction. Today, exploitation is strictly regulated: through the multilateral Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources; through the commercial whaling moratorium of the International Whaling Commission; and now, increasingly, through local sovereign government legislation. Commercial fisheries still operate for three species of fish and one species of crustacean, Antarctic krill. Here, I consider aspects of these fisheries, to help inform the current review of the SGSSI Marine Protected Area (MPA), highlighting how future management must take into account important ongoing changes in this biodiverse ecosystem. Two issues are of paramount importance: ongoing recovery of baleen whale species; and climate change. Both increase uncertainty for fisheries managers, so that considerations about their implications must now be directly included into the management of harvested and dependent species. With the recovery of some previously exploited species, and ongoing recovery of others, the MPA could now be managed with additional ecologically-appropriate large no-take areas, commensurate with increasing levels of ocean protection advocated for by a growing number of scientists and governments. Spatial protection reflecting the habitat use of baleen whales and their prey, krill, would, through umbrella protection, also protect other biodiversity integral to the operation of the marine ecosystem.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: European Disintegration, Brexit, and Gibraltar

This article aims to explore the contours of Gibraltar, a uniquely situated region in Europe and a non-self-governing British overseas territory. It explores the basis for Gibraltar’s continued and maintained presence within the EU after Brexit. Gibraltar’s full accession into the Schengen area, which was expected to be implemented by the end of 2022, is a significant departure from the disintegration that was observable elsewhere in Brexit negotiations but also does not align with the United Kingdom’s staunch resistance to Schengen more generally. This move will potentially result in Gibraltar having more features in common with what the EU refers to as outermost regions, which are remote areas within the EU where special provisions exist. To that end, this variation in approach by the United Kingdom has placed Gibraltar in an altogether different category of its own and invites new questions about the region’s specificity and status, as well as about the process of disintegration more generally. We argue that Gibraltar’s desire to join the Schengen area has presented challenges to the ongoing predicament of Brexit and has exacerbated its outlier position within the EU. This has given rise to specific questions that this article aims to address: What is the current situation of Gibraltar regarding the United Kingdom and the EU? And, what can the case of Gibraltar teach us in terms of disintegration? This article also examines, from a political science perspective, how reclassifying territories can be employed as a vector to facilitate the United Kingdom’s efforts to disintegrate from the EU, but underscores the ongoing issues surrounding the reclassification of Gibraltar and its people, with every effort to do so proving challenging.

Imperial Resurgence: How French Polynesia Was Chosen as the Site for the French Centre for Pacific Tests (CEP)

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the question of how French Polynesia was selected as the site for the French Centre for Pacific Tests in the 1960s. We argue that the Centre’s construction constituted an imperial resurgence for French Polynesia, marking the encounter and reconfiguration of different and previously unfamiliar worldviews. The article elucidates the rationales behind the choice of French Polynesia as a testing ground, with particular attention to perceptions of that territory among those in charge of the decision. We show that a frontier mentality was conducive to the reactivation of colonial schemes of thought, in a broader context of imperial resurgence in French overseas territories.

Severe forms of influenza infections admitted in intensive care units: Analysis of mortality factors.

The severe forms of influenza infection requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission remain a medical challenge due to its high mortality. New H1N1 strains were hypothesized to increase mortality. The studies below represent a large series focusing on ICU-admitted influenza patients over the last decade with an emphasis on factors related to death. A retrospective study of patients admitted in ICU for influenza infection over the 2010-2019 period in Réunion Island (a French overseas territory) was conducted. Demographic data, underlying conditions, and therapeutic management were recorded. A univariate analysis was performed to assess factors related to ICU mortality. Three hundred and fifty adult patients were analyzed. Overall mortality was 25.1%. Factors related to higher mortality were found to be patient age >65, cancer history, need for intubation, early intubation within 48 h after admission, invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), vaso-support drugs, extracorporal oxygenation by membrane (ECMO), dialysis, bacterial coinfection, leucopenia, anemia, and thrombopenia. History of asthma and oseltamivir therapy were correlated with a lower mortality. H1N1 did not impact mortality. Patient's underlying conditions influence hospital admission and secondary ICU admission but were not found to impact ICU mortality except in patients age >65, history of cancer, and bacterial coinfections. Pulmonary involvement was often present, required MV, and often evolved toward ARDS. ICU mortality was strongly related to ARDS severity. We recommend rapid ICU admission of patients with influenza-related pneumonia, management of bacterial coinfection, and early administration of oseltamivir.

COVID-19 Vaccination Rate under Different Political Incentive: A Counterfactual Trend Approach Using Nationwide Data.

(1) Background: France implemented a COVID-19 certificate in July 2021 to incentivize the population to uptake COVID-19 vaccines. However, little is known about the variation in its impact across age groups and its dependence on socio-demographic, economic, logistic, or political factors. (2) Methods: Using France's weekly first dose vaccination rate, a counterfactual trend approach allowed for the estimation of the vaccination rate across age groups at a small geographical level before and after the implementation of the health pass. The effect of the health pass was operationalized as the vaccination rate among those who would not be vaccinated without it. (3) Results: Vaccination before the health pass varied greatly among age groups and was mainly influenced by territory (lower in rural and overseas territories when compared to urban and metropolitan ones), political beliefs, and socio-economic disparities. Vaccine logistics played a minor but significant role, while the impact of COVID-19 did not affect the vaccination rate. The health pass increased the vaccination overall but with varying efficiency across groups. It convinced mainly young people politically close to the governmental vaccination strategy and living in urban metropolitan areas with low socio-economical discrepancies. The selected variables explained most of the variability of the vaccination rate before the health pass; they explained, at most, a third of the variation in the health pass effect on vaccination. (4) Conclusions: From a public health perspective, the French health pass increased the overall vaccination, but failed to promote preventive behaviours in all segments of society, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Building a network for British Overseas Territories and remote/rural probation provisions – a legacy of the 5th World Congress on Probation and Parole

Building a network for British Overseas Territories and remote/rural probation provisions – a legacy of the 5th World Congress on Probation and Parole

Towards One Health surveillance of antibiotic resistance: characterisation and mapping of existing programmes in humans, animals, food and the environment in France, 2021.

BackgroundInternational organisations are calling for One Health approaches to tackle antimicrobial resistance. In France, getting an overview of the current surveillance system and its level of integration is difficult due to the diversity of surveillance programmes.AimThis study aimed to map and describe all French surveillance programmes for antibiotic resistance (ABR), antibiotic use (ABU) and antibiotic residues, in humans, animals, food and the environment, in 2021. Another objective was to identify integration points, gaps and overlaps in the system.MethodsWe reviewed the literature for surveillance programmes and their descriptions. To further characterise programmes found, semi-directed interviews were conducted with their coordinators.ResultsIn total 48 programmes in the human (n = 35), animal (n = 12), food (n = 3) and/or the environment (n = 1) sectors were identified; 35 programmes focused on ABR, 14 on ABU and two on antibiotic residues. Two programmes were cross-sectoral. Among the 35 ABR programmes, 23 collected bacterial isolates. Bacteria most targeted were Escherichia coli (n = 17 programmes), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 13), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 12). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli was monitored by most ABR programmes (15 of 35) in humans, animals and food, and is a good candidate for integrated analyses. ABU indicators were highly variable. Areas poorly covered were the environmental sector, overseas territories, antibiotic-resistant-bacterial colonisation in humans and ABU in companion animals.ConclusionThe French surveillance system appears extensive but has gaps and is highly fragmented. We believe our mapping will interest policymakers and surveillance stakeholders. Our methodology may inspire other countries considering One Health surveillance of ABR.

Review on Main Arboviruses Circulating on French Guiana, An Ultra-Peripheric European Region in South America.

French Guiana (FG), a French overseas territory in South America, is susceptible to tropical diseases, including arboviruses. The tropical climate supports the proliferation and establishment of vectors, making it difficult to control transmission. In the last ten years, FG has experienced large outbreaks of imported arboviruses such as Chikungunya and Zika, as well as endemic arboviruses such as dengue, Yellow fever, and Oropouche virus. Epidemiological surveillance is challenging due to the differing distributions and behaviors of vectors. This article aims to summarize the current knowledge of these arboviruses in FG and discuss the challenges of arbovirus emergence and reemergence. Effective control measures are hampered by the nonspecific clinical presentation of these diseases, as well as the Aedes aegypti mosquito's resistance to insecticides. Despite the high seroprevalence of certain viruses, the possibility of new epidemics cannot be ruled out. Therefore, active epidemiological surveillance is needed to identify potential outbreaks, and an adequate sentinel surveillance system and broad virological diagnostic panel are being developed in FG to improve disease management.

Characterizing state‐managed and unmanaged fisheries in coastal marine states and territories of the United States

AbstractThe status of federally managed fisheries in the United States is well monitored, but the condition of other marine fisheries, whether state‐managed, territory‐managed or unmanaged, is less understood and often unknown. We used expert surveys to characterize the management systems of non‐federally managed fisheries in US coastal marine states and overseas territories. For 311 fisheries, we estimated an overall Fisheries Management Index (FMI) and a qualitative stock status score. These measures were positively correlated, and while a wide range of research, management, enforcement and socioeconomic criteria were partially met (FMI ≥ 0.5) for 66% of fisheries, stock status was considered as partially acceptable (score ≥ 0.5) for only 45% of fisheries and acceptable (score = 1) for only 16% of fisheries. Higher FMI was typically observed in fisheries with greater commercial landed weight, value, or greater recreational catches. Fisheries from continental states had higher FMI than those from overseas territories. Invertebrates and diadromous fish species had higher FMI on average compared to those of marine fishes. Extrapolating results for surveyed fisheries to nearly 2000 non‐federally managed US fisheries while stratifying by state and importance designation (based on commercial, recreational, cultural or ecological importance), we estimate a mean overall FMI of 0.48, and estimate that only 19% of fisheries have a reliable estimate of stock status available; both measures are lower than similar estimates for federally managed fisheries. Funding or capacity constraints and information or data limitations were identified as common challenges faced by state agencies in managing fisheries under their jurisdiction.

Integrated Plan of Insecticide Resistance Surveillance in Mosquito Vectors in France

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, or chikungunya have been re-emerging all over the world, including in Europe. Managing resistance to public health pesticides in mosquitoes is essential and requires global, integrated, and coordinated actions and strong engagement of decision-makers, scientists, and public health operators. In this context, the present work aims at proposing an integrated plan of resistance surveillance in France and in the French Overseas territories in order to provide graduated and appropriate responses according to the situation. Briefly, the plan relies on periodic monitoring of insecticide resistance at the population level in predefined sites using adequate biological, molecular, and/or biochemical approaches and a stratification of the level of resistance risk at the scale of territory to adjust surveillance and vector control actions. The plan relies on the latest methods and indicators used for resistance monitoring as recommended by the World Health Organization in order to prevent or slow down its extension in space and time. The plan has been developed for France but can be easily adapted to other countries in order to provide a coordinated response to the growing problem of mosquito resistance in Europe.

Leprosy in French Guiana, 2015 to 2021: Dynamics of a Persistent Public Health Problem

A resurgence of leprosy as a public health problem in French Guiana was reported over the period 2007 to 2014, particularly among Brazilians gold miners. Prolonged multidrug therapy and reversal reactions represent a therapeutic challenge. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of leprosy in this European overseas territory. All patients with leprosy confirmed in histopathology between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 were included. A total of 86 patients were included, including 64 new cases and 22 previously diagnosed cases. Sixty patients (70%) were male, 6 cases were paediatric. Brazilian gold miners represented 44.1% of reported occupations (15/34). Maroons represented the second community (13 patients, 15%). Multibacillary and paucibacillary forms were found in 53 (71%) and 22 (29%) patients, respectively. The annual prevalence never exceeded the threshold of 1/10,000. The mean incidence and prevalence were significantly lower than during the period 2007 to 2014 (p < 0.0001). Reversal reactions were found in 29 patients and almost always required a long course of steroids. Infliximab allowed a reduction in the length of treatment with steroids in 2/2 cases. In conclusion, the prevalence of leprosy has decreased significantly in French Guiana, but remains driven by the population of illegal gold miners. Anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs represent a promising option in the management of reversal reactions.

Self-regulation, internet domains and Indian Ocean territories

ABSTRACT In this article we survey the digital geography of seven Indian Ocean overseas territories. We examine the country code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD) of Australia (.cc – Cocos (Keeling) Islands,.cx – Christmas Island and.hm – Heard and McDonald Islands), Britain (.io – British Indian Ocean Territory) and France (.re – Réunion,.yt – Mayotte and.tf – French Southern and Antarctic Lands). We find there exists divides between the management of digital geography between differing colonial inheritances – broadly, that islands historically tied to the Anglophone states are managed by the private sector, and those that are Francophone are managed with far more central government oversight. This difference has implications for ccTLD use, disputes and who benefits from domain sale profits. We assert these administrative differences are due to France's active and conscious involvement in the internet administration of its territories, an important difference given the importance of self-regulation in current ccTLD management.

Robotic surgery implementation in an isolated overseas territory – The case of Reunion Island

In February 2020, robotic surgery was introduced in University Hospital of St Pierre in Reunion Island. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of robotic assisted surgery in the hospital and its impact on operating times and patient outcomes. Data was prospectively collected on patients undergoing laparoscopic robotic assisted surgery between February 2020 and February 2022. Information included patient demographics, type of surgery, operating times and length of stay. Over the two-year study period, 137 patients underwent laparoscopic robotic assisted surgery performed by 6 different surgeons. 89 of the surgeries were in gynecology, including 58 hysterectomies, 37 were in digestive surgery, and 11 in urology. The installation and docking times decreased across all specialties and were found to be significantly reduced when comparing the first and last 15 hysterectomies: mean installation time decreased from 18.7 to 14.5 minutes (p=0.048), mean docking time decreased from 11.3 to 7.1 minutes (p=0.009). The implementation of robotic assisted surgery in an isolated territory such as Reunion Island was slow due to a lack of trained surgeons, supply difficulties and Covid crisis. Despite these challenges, the use of robotic surgery allowed for technically more challenging surgeries and demonstrated similar learning curves to other centers.

Between Kingdom and Empire: the Social Power of Dutch Missionary Maps, 1850–1940

Between about 1850 and 1940 the Dutch Protestant missionary movement reached its ascendancy and set out to establish the kingdom of God in overseas territories. In doing so, mission became inextricably linked with Dutch imperialism. This article investigates this connection through the lens of cartography. Missionary maps of the world in general and the colonies in particular were produced and distributed in schools and churches to inform a Dutch audience about mission and to gather support. This article concludes that mission and imperialism were different strands that became increasing entangled towards the end of the nineteenth century.

Adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma in French Guiana: a retrospective analysis with real-life data from 2009 to 2019

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), one of the most aggressive cancers in the world, occurs in 5% of the 10 million people living with HTLV-1 worldwide. French Guiana, a French overseas territory in South America, is one of the highest endemic areas of HTLV-1 worldwide. Here, we describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome of ATL in this area. We retrospectively collected data from all patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2019. Patients were distributed according to Shimoyama's classification. Prognostic factors were explored through univariate analysis. Over the 10-year study period, 41 patients with a median age of 54 years at diagnosis were identified, among whom 56% were women. Sixteen (39%) patients were Maroons, a cultural group descendant of the runaway enslaved Africans from former Dutch Guiana. Among the study population, 23 (56%) had an acute type, 14 (34%) a lymphoma type, and one and one chronic and primary cutaneous tumour, respectively. First-lines of treatment included either chemotherapy or Zidovudine combined with pegylated interferon alpha. The 4-year overall survival was 11.4% for the entire population with 0% and 11% for lymphoma and acute forms, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 93 and 115 days for the acute and lymphoma groups (p=0.37), respectively. Among the twenty-nine patients who died, 8 (28%) died of toxicity, 7 (24%) died of disease progression and the cause of death remained unknown in 14 (48%) patients. Due to the overall poor prognosis, no significant prognostic factors could be identified. This study provides real-life data from ATL patients in French Guiana, a remote territory in a middle-income region. Patients, mostly Maroons, presented with a younger age and the prognosis was worse than expected compared to Japanese patients. None.

From edenic island to endemic park: A historical political ecology of environmental degradation narratives on Réunion (West Indian Ocean)

Exploring the premise that environmental injustices date back centuries, this article provides an overview of the long trajectory of degradation narratives on Réunion, from the earliest colonial concerns in the late seventeenth century to the contemporary National Park. Through a historical political ecology approach, we identify distinct phases where degradation narratives became prominent, and sometimes entered into conflict, in the environmental history of this French overseas territory, which was a French colony until 1946. Although degradation narratives have shifted significantly over time, they have also gradually converged to a condemnation of the uplands' inhabitants. So far, this move has reproduced socio-spatial inequalities between the uplands region, dedicated to environmental policies, and the lowlands region, dedicated to a plantation economy. Such an account suggests that environmental inequalities may be constituted through a process of continuous change that involves negotiations and often conflicts among multiple dominant stakeholders. Thus, contemporary conservation regimes should not only improve their governance mode, but need to start by doing justice to conservation’ history, especially dynamics of misrecognition with colonial roots.

Impact of digital pathology implementation in Reunion Island

In recent decades, the major scientific advances in oncology have complexified anatomic pathology practice. Collaboration with local and national pathologists is essential for ensuring a high-quality diagnosis. Anatomic pathology is undergoing a digital revolution that implements whole slide imaging in routine pathologic diagnosis. Digital pathology improves diagnostic efficiency, allows remote peer review and consultations (telepathology), and enables the use of artificial intelligence. The implementation of digital pathology is of particular interest in isolated territories, facilitating access to expertise and therefore to specialized diagnosis. This review discusses the impact of digital pathology implementation in French overseas territories, particularly in Reunion Island.

Maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis in Mayotte: Prevalence, incidence and management.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by an intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. It is usually asymptomatic, but toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy can cause congenital toxoplasmosis, potentially resulting in fetal damage. Epidemiological information is lacking for toxoplasmosis in Mayotte (a French overseas territory). We evaluated (1) the prevalence of maternal toxoplasmosis, (2) the incidence of maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis, and (3) the management of congenital toxoplasmosis in Mayotte. We collected all the available data for toxoplasmosis serological screening during pregnancy and maternal and congenital cases of toxoplasmosis obtained between January 2017 and August 2019 at the central public laboratory of Mayotte (Mamoudzou). Using toxoplasmosis serological data from samples collected from 16,952 pregnant women we estimated the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Mayotte at 67.19%. Minimum maternal toxoplasmosis incidence was estimated at 0.29% (49/16,952, 95% CI (0.0022-0.0038)), based on confirmed cases of maternal primary infection only. The estimated incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was 0.09% (16/16,952, 95% CI (0.0005-0.0015). Missing data made it difficult to evaluate management, but follow-up was better for mothers with confirmed primary infection and their infants. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women and the incidence of toxoplasmosis are higher in Mayotte than in mainland France. There is a need to improve the antenatal toxoplasmosis screening and prevention programme, providing better information to physicians and the population, to improve management and epidemiological monitoring.