The French National Assembly adopts a resolution denouncing the “bloody and murderous oppression” of Algerians 63 years ago

On Thursday, the French National Assembly adopted a resolution proposal that “denounces the bloody and murderous repression against Algerians, under the authority of Police Director Maurice Papon on October 17, 1961” in Paris, in which between 30 and more than 200 peaceful demonstrators were killed, according to historians.

67 representatives supported the proposal and 11 from the ranks of the far-right National Rally opposed it.

The text also “wished” to include a day to commemorate (the aforementioned event)… in the schedule of national days and official ceremonies.

The text was presented by the representative of the Green Party, Sabrina Sabaihi, and the representative of the presidential majority, Julie Delpeche.

Sabaihi welcomed in advance the “historic vote” which constitutes “the first step in working to recognize this colonial crime and recognize this state crime.”

The phrase “state crime” does not appear in the text, the drafting of which required repeated discussions with the French presidency, while issues related to memory still greatly affect relations between France and Algeria.

63 years ago, on October 17, 1961, about 30,000 Algerians who came to demonstrate peacefully in Paris were subjected to violent repression by the police.

According to the official toll, there were 3 dead and about 60 wounded, but historians estimate the number of victims at “at least dozens.”

In October 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron began to acknowledge these facts, considering that “the crimes committed on October 17, 1961 under the authority of Maurice Papon are unforgivable for the Republic.”

In 2012, former French President François Hollande announced the commemoration of “the victims of the bloody repression” to which these demonstrators were subjected, for the “right to independence.”