French Assembly Passes Resolution Condemning Massacres of October 17, 1961: Historic Decision!
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- France has taken a significant step towards acknowledging a dark chapter in its history by adopting a proposal to condemn the bloody repression of Algerians on October 17, 1961, under the authority of police prefect Maurice Papon. This resolution, passed by the French National Assembly on Thursday, also suggests commemorating the massacre with a designated day on the national agenda.
The approval of this resolution marks a notable shift as France acknowledges one of the abhorrent massacres perpetrated on its soil against thousands of Algerians, including women and children. Many were thrown into the Seine River or beaten to death while peacefully protesting the discriminatory curfew imposed by Maurice Papon at the time.
While this gesture represents progress, it is only a beginning towards addressing the complex issue of historical memory. However, it signals a willingness to implement recommendations made by a joint Algerian-French commission of historians, established in 2022 by Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Emmanuel Macron to work on the shared memory of the two countries.
The commission, co-chaired by Benjamin Stora and Algerian researcher Mohamed Lahcen Zighidia, made several recommendations, including placing plaques at significant sites in France where Algerians were imprisoned during colonization in the 19th century. Additionally, the commission proposed the return of Ottoman-era Algerian archives held by France.
Furthermore, it recommended the restitution of symbolic items belonging to Emir Abdelkader, including his sword and Quran, during his exile in Amboise from 1848 to 1852. Notably, the refusal of France to consider this restitution was one of the reasons cited by Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf for the postponement of President Tebboune’s state visit to France in 2023.
However, there are still outstanding issues, such as the consequences of France’s nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara, which remain unresolved. Despite the recent gesture, France is expected to address these sensitive matters comprehensively.
President Tebboune’s assertion that “the memory dossier will not be concealed” underscores the importance of confronting historical injustices. As the two nations move forward, addressing past grievances will remain essential for reconciliation and mutual understanding.
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