Apology, compensation cannot erase France’s crimes in Algeria, German Researcher says

Financial compensation or apology cannot omit the ugly and cruel massacres that were committed by the French colonizer against the Algerians, German researcher Hartmut Elsenhans said, on the sidelines of the international symposium on “crimes of colonialism” at SILA Hall, within the activities of the 20th edition of Algiers International Book Fair.

German history researcher, Hartmut Elsenhans asserted, in an interview with Echorouk, that France exercised a severe violence against Algerian who lived on the hardiness of injustice and oppression.

“The whole world knows the massacres that were committed by France in Algeria, including the massacres of May 8, 1945.”

“France used different heinous methods to exterminate and displace Algerians without mercy and this emerged since the beginning of the occupation, which began with killing and displacement.”

“What is of interest if France will compensate Algeria materially, as the crimes and massacres were committed against unarmed people and this cannot be erased through compensation or apology? So even though France will grant financial compensation to Algeria, this does not settle the matters. It is advisable to open the door for serious and effective dialogue between the parties to reach a positive solution to this crisis.”