French Lawmakers Recognize 1961 Algerian Massacre as "Bloody and Murderous Repression"

In a landmark decision on Thursday, the French National Assembly took a historic step towards acknowledging one of the darkest chapters in France's post-war history. Lawmakers condemned the brutal police crackdown on Algerian protesters in Paris on October 17, 1961, officially recognizing it as a “bloody and murderous repression.” The vote ended with a significant majority, 67-11, in favor of a nonbinding resolution that not only condemns the violence inflicted upon the demonstrators but also calls for the establishment of a national day of remembrance.

This crackdown occurred during a period of heightened tension, as Algeria was engaged in a fierce struggle for independence from French colonial rule. On that fateful day, approximately 12,000 Algerians who had gathered for a peaceful demonstration were met with severe police brutality. The demonstrators had been responding to a call by the French branch of the National Liberation Front (FLN) to protest against a discriminatory nighttime curfew imposed on Algerians in the Paris region.

For decades, the events of that day were shrouded in silence, with French authorities seeking to cover up the massacre. It wasn't until 2021, on the 60th anniversary of the massacre, that President Emmanuel Macron took a significant step towards acknowledging the tragedy. He recognized that dozens of protestors were killed, with their bodies callously disposed of in the Seine River. Historians estimate that at least 120 protesters lost their lives, some shot by the police and others drowned.

The resolution passed by the National Assembly not only condemns the acts of violence but also seeks to ensure that such a tragedy is remembered and acknowledged nationally. This act of parliamentary recognition is seen as a crucial step in France's ongoing efforts to reconcile with its colonial past and the atrocities committed during the Algerian War of Independence.

Algeria, which was under French rule for 132 years, eventually gained its independence in 1962, marking the end of one of the longest and most violent struggles against colonialism in the 20th century. The French government's move to acknowledge the 1961 massacre is a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impacts of colonial rule and the importance of confronting historical injustices.