France has recognised additional sites at which Harkis – Muslims who fought alongside the French during the Algerian War – faced harsh living conditions following Algeria’s independence. While the move will allow up to 6,000 more Harkis and their descendants to claim compensation, groups representing the victims say it doesn’t go far enough in recognising their suffering.
The Harkis were Algerians who served as auxiliaries in the French army during the 1954-62 Algerian war of independence.
At the end of the war, thousands came to France, where they were housed in degrading, sometimes inhumane conditions.
M’hamed Bouchoucha was six years old when his parents arrived at the Citadelle d’Amiens, converted into a camp for Harkis in 1962.
“What killed me in the citadel was sleeping on bales of straw – for two years,” he told TV channel France 3.
Between July 1962 and January 1964, it housed between 500 and 600 people – and for many it left deep scars.
“I have a very painful memory of my parents. Every evening I’d see them cry,” Bouchoucha said.
French MPs give green light to reparations for Algerian ‘harki’ fighters
The Citadelle d’Amiens was already on the list of locations that qualify Harkis and their descendants for financial compensation, but a large number of others were not, until now.
Approved by Bayrou, the addition of 37 new locations at which this mistreatment took place could benefit an estimated 6,000 more people.
While the move was welcomed by the Harki community, the expansion still falls short of expectations.
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