The European civilians reported missing during the Algerian war. The process of construction of an activist cause

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Published 28-02-2017
Emmanuelle Comtat

Abstract

This article analyzes how pro-Algeria organizations have pursued the recognition of French civilians reported missing or abducted during the Algerian war and after. We study the construction and trajectory of this cause since 1962, how repatriates' associations fight for the consideration of this question in the political agenda of the French government, and how those activists mobilize their connections to obtain the support and agreement of certain politicians. We also examine how the recognition of the victim figure and its re-appropriation takes place in a memory war context, which aims to rehabilitate French Algeria and the period of colonization rather than to enforce a reconciliation process. This article is situated in the research field of collective mobilizations and in works on repertoires of actions and lobbying of activist groups. It is also situated in the realm of public policy making, especially in memory and remembrance policies. The text is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with leaders of repatriates' associations and with some victims' families.
Abstract 495 | texto (Français (France)) Downloads 787 XML (Español) Downloads 0

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Keywords

disappearances, decolonization, mobilizations, remembrance

Section
Single Topic Issues