The Assembly votes on a resolution condemning the “bloody and murderous repression” against Algerians on October 17, 1961.

It is officially known that this Thursday the Assembly voted in favor of a resolution condemning the “bloody and murderous repression” against Algerians on October 17, 1961, during which, according to historians, between thirty and more than 200 peaceful demonstrators were killed.

67 deputies from the ranks of the National Union voted for and 11 against. The text also “desires” to “include a day of remembrance of (the) massacre” in “the agenda of national holidays and official ceremonies.”

Progressive Recognition

Emmanuel Macron initiated this recognition in October 2021, declaring that “the crimes committed on October 17, 1961 under the leadership of Maurice Papon are inexcusable for the Republic.” In December of the same year, Paris announced expanded access to archives on the Algerian War (1954–1962).

“We settled on a text in which there is no concept of state crime,” says Ms. Sebaikhi, the EELV MP who created the text with Renaissance MP Julie Delpeche. “This text is the first step, and we have to achieve recognition of this state crime,” she believes.