Remembering the 17 October 1961 Massacres in Paris

This year marks the 64th anniversary of one of the most somber chapters in Algerian history, as well as in the history of colonization: the events of 17 October 1961 in Paris.

On that evening, thousands of Algerians living in France took part in a peaceful demonstration organized by the French Federation of the National Liberation Front (FLN).

Their march was a response to a curfew that applied exclusively to “French Muslims of Algeria,” and aimed to denounce discrimination while drawing attention to Algeria’s ongoing struggle for independence.

The response of the law enforcement authorities in Paris was brutally immediate and severe. The protest was violently suppressed by the Paris police under the command of Prefect Maurice Papon.

Demonstrators were beaten, arrested, and, in many cases, thrown into the River Seine. Many bodies were later recovered along the riverbanks. While the exact number of victims remains elusive due to destroyed or incomplete records, most historians estimate that between 200 and 300 Algerians lost their lives, and more than 14,000 were detained.

Yet, for several decades, the official death toll stood at just three — a figure that failed to reflect the scale of the tragedy. Only in 1999, after 37 years of denial and censorship of the press, the Paris prosecutor’s office officially acknowledged that a “massacre” had taken place, acknowledging 40 deaths. 

The events of 17 October 1961 remain one of the most defining and painful episodes in the history of Algeria’s struggle for independence.

Occurring in the midst of the Glorious Revolution of 1 November 1954, the 17 October 1961 massacre left a lasting imprint on Algerian collective memory and played a significant role in reinforcing international awareness of the Algerian independence movement, helping shape the course of history in the years that followed.

It also highlighted the political engagement of the Algerian diaspora in France, whose contribution to the liberation struggle extended far beyond its homeland.

Today, the events of 17 October 1961 are widely regarded as a stark reminder of the consequences of discrimination and unchecked state violence.

Commemorations held around the world serve not only as acts of remembrance but also as affirmations of the universal principles of justice, dignity, and human rights. Preserving the memory of this tragedy remains essential to ensuring that such abuses are neither forgotten nor repeated.

This year, under the banner of “Cohesion & Commitment,” Algeria renews its unwavering pledge to honor the sacrifices of its martyrs by strengthening unity, defending truth, and building bridges of solidarity across nations.

(Sakhawat Khan, Former Country Director, Amnesty International – South Sudan, and Former Senior United Nations Official)