For Harks, a commission that has not yet been repaired

“treason” and “cooperation”. No word. And the memories they wanted to erase come back to burn their souls. On May 15, the Independent National Commission for the recognition and reparation of the losses, which came to the fighters involved in the French army, together with their families, by the state, the day after the end of the Algerian war (1954-1962). ) – presented a report of his activities to the Prime Minister, Elizabeth Bourne.

In this long document, which covers the first year of operation after the publication of the law of February 23, 2022, the speech given by Emmanuel Macron on September 20, 2021 at the Elysée Palace was translated into law. he asked “forgiveness” with Harki and confessed “Abandonment of the French Republic”passage strong pain. It is Appendix 4 that describes the perception of these helpers in Algeria, sixty years after independence.

This nuanced text, written by historian Karima Direche, also a member of the Commission, invites “A social group condemned to silence and permanent stigmatization”Roma “treason” and one “cooperation” with the French army. “The reading of ‘betrayal’ and ‘collaboration’ in this report was inappropriate. This passage had nothing to do with it.Tans Ahmed Juar, son of Harki. “Why did you choose the angle of abuse?reads Fatima Besnaci-Lancu, historian and co-founder of the association Harkis and human rights. This commission was created to appease us, not to remind us that Algerians are insulting the Harks. »

For Karima Direche, “You’d have to be dishonest to believe that this is my personal opinion. If the Commission wanted to take stock of Hark’s vision on the other side of the Mediterranean, it also shows that the story is not just French. According to him, the Algerian authorities claim that they are not worried about the Harki tragedy. A specialist in modern North African societies adds: “This request, perhaps too ambitious, was to clearly indicate France’s position towards Algeria. This is the recognition of the nation. »

“Inciting Harkis’s Hatred”

Notwithstanding the clarification and recontextualization from the introduction of Annexure 4 – by deleting the words “treason” and “cooperation” – Harkis and their relatives demand the cancellation of this text. An open letter was sent to Mr. Macron about it, the petition collected almost 3,000 signatures; Some are angry with commission chairman Jean-Marie Boeckel. “He cannot understand us. Why did he order such a text? We cannot allow this shame. “Mohammed Jafur claims.