ALGIERS- Researcher in history Amar Mohand Amar has stressed the need for a “real policy” on teaching and research in national liberation war (1954-1962), underlining the “barbaric and inhumane” nature of French colonization.
Speaking on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the massacres of 17 October 1961, the researcher at the Research Centre on Social and Cultural Anthropology of Oran told APS that it is necessary for the Algerians to show more respect to national history.
This may be achieved through the development of a “real policy” for research, teaching and gathering of archives, in addition to quality training for students in history.
Mentioning the massacres of 17 October 1961, the history expert said the “French colonial system is, by nature, violent and brutal.”
“It committed this violence and brutality against the Algerian people until the end of colonisation, both in Algeria and France.”
This painful chapter of Algerian history (massacres of 17 October 1961), in which dozens of Algerians lost their lives for having staged peaceful protests in Paris, at a time when negotiations on Algeria’s independence were underway.
Mohand Amar added that the “end of the war did not lead to the end of violence.”
He stressed, in this respect, “the scorched earth policy” implemented by the terrorist Organization of the Secret Army (OAS), involving some of “French Algeria” supporters, civilians and military, showing clearly the violent nature of colonial administration.”
The researcher calls for France’s “official recognition” of its historical responsibility for the sufferings of the Algerian people, adding that the move might contribute to “taking the heat out of the joint history of the two countries.
“It will also open new prospects in research as part of a joint work between the researchers of the two shores of the Mediterranean.”
Source: 17 October 1961: Need for “real” policy on teaching, research in history
