France plans to open its archives on the Algerian war
Paris (ST): French Culture Minister Roselyn Bachelot announced today her country’s intention to open the archive of judicial investigations during Algeria’s colonial era, 15 years before the legal deadline for lifting secrecy.
“I will open the archive of the judicial investigations of the gendarmerie and police forces about the Algerian war 15 years before the legal deadline for lifting secrecy,” Bachelot told BFMTV, adding, “Forgery brings mistakes, problems and hatred, and in the moments when facts are presented, acknowledged and analyzed, another history and reconciliation can be built.”
She pointed out that there are things that must be reconstructed with Algeria, and this can only be done based on the truth.”
On the repercussions of the decision, especially the upcoming confirmation of the occurrence of acts of torture committed by the French army in Algeria during the colonial era, Bachelot said, “It is in France’s interest to recognize them.”
The French occupying forces committed heinous murders against the Algerian people during the colonial era, especially on the 8th of May 1945, when the French forces killed more than 45,000 Algerians, according to official figures, who then went out in a peaceful demonstration to demand the independence of their country.
K.Q.