On 19 October 1996, French air and border police seized the 17 October issue of the Algerian daily “Liberte” at the Lyon airport, as the paper entered France for distribution. The seizure of the paper was carried out under rules governing the distribution of foreign publications in France. No official reason for the seizure was […]
On 19 October 1996, French air and border police seized the 17
October issue of the Algerian daily “Liberte” at the Lyon airport,
as the paper entered France for distribution. The seizure of the
paper was carried out under rules governing the distribution of
foreign publications in France. No official reason for the seizure
was given.
The seizure is thought to be linked to the publication of an
article, titled “When the Seine Rolled Cadavers” (“Quand la Seine
roulait des cadavres”), commemorating the 35th anniversary of a
demonstration of Algerians in Paris which was violently quashed by
French security forces. Official statistics indicate three died
and 64 were injured in the 17 October 1961 demonstration. However,
200 are thought to have actually died.
To protest the censorship of “Liberte”, RSF has posted the article
in question on its Internet site.
On 23 October, RSF appealed to French Interior Minister Jean-Louis
Debre expressing outrage at such censorship, and urging that he
take steps to see to it that the seizure of “Liberte” is
immediately lifted and that its regular distribution in France be
safeguarded.
