The national liaison committee of harkis (CNLH) accused the historian Benjamin Stora on Saturday 23 January of "
minimalism
" in his report on colonization and the Algerian war submitted Wednesday, January 20 to Emmanuel Macron.
"
The minimalist historian has refrained from any debate or contradictory opinion, yet necessary in a democracy
", accuses the CNLH in a statement sent to AFP.
Read also: Report on colonization and the Algerian war: Benjamin Stora, a historian between two shores
In his report, Benjamin Stora recommends facilitating the movement of harkis - considered by some Algerians as collaborating traitors - and of their children between France and Algeria.
"
It's
window dressing", responded Mohamed Badi of the CNLH to AFP, "
it has existed for a long time
".
"
The people who remain are in their deathbed or are elderly
" and will not return to Algeria, he said.
"
As for children, young people, when they go there, they are not well received,
" he says.
“
What really matters is that France definitely recognizes the wrong it has done.
By hiding this part of history, it distorts history,
”insists Mohamed Badi.
A claim supported in the press release which calls for “
truth, recognition, justice, reparation
”.
The CNLH wishes "
the recognition by the French State of its responsibility and of its fault in the disarmament, the abandonment and the massacre of the harkis, after the Evian agreements and the cease-fire of March 19, 1962
".
To read also: Redesign of school programs, accessibility of archives ... What the "Stora report" advocates given to Macron
The CNLH also wants recognition “
for the arbitrary imprisonment of survivors in camps and other unworthy relegation places, without trial and for an indefinite period, upon their arrival in France
.” “
This appalling human and national drama cannot be concealed, this is the meaning of our fight so that a page is finally turned and that the memorial work on both sides of the Mediterranean begins, with a view to the reconciliation of peoples, in the interest of present and future generations
”, according to the communicated.
