The National Assembly approved a resolution condemning the massacre of Algerians in Paris on October 17, 1961, under the authority of the then police chief Maurice Papon. Historians estimate that between thirty and over 200 peaceful protesters died. The symbolic resolution condemns the “bloody and deadly repression of Algerians under the authority of Maurice Papon on October 17, 1961” and also calls for the commemoration of a day in national schedules and official ceremonies.
Descendants of the victims of the repression of October 17, 1961, were present in the Assembly and were applauded by the deputies after the vote. The resolution, led by Sabrina Sebaihi and Julie Delpech, was approved by 67 deputies from the left and Renaissance parties, while 11 deputies from the National Rally (RN) voted against it.
The events of October 17, 1961, where the authorities imposed a curfew on Algerian workers, resulted in a violent crackdown by the police. The response to those arrested is considered a “massacre” by historians. In 2012, President François Hollande acknowledged the tragic events and paid tribute to the victims.
The recent parliamentary vote in France has sparked positive reactions in Algeria, with the media praising it as a step towards reconciliation. However, some historians criticize the resolution for not fully addressing the responsibility of the French state beyond Maurice Papon. The lack of official recognition of the crimes committed on October 17, 1961, remains a contentious issue in Franco-Algerian relations.
