Historians Protest Judicialization of History in France
A group of prominent French historians, including Pierre Vidal-Naquet and Elisabeth Badinter, has started a petition expressing concern over the trend of using laws to shape historical narratives. They believe that it’s wrong for politicians and the courts to dictate what is considered historical truth. This movement was prompted by a lawsuit against historian Olivier Pétré-Grenouilleau, who was accused of 'negationism' for his work discussing the Arab and African slave trades. The historians also take aim at the 1990 Gayssot Law, which they feel has enabled these legal actions, with Jacques Henric recalling their past opposition to it. This petition comes amid ongoing debates about the 'positive role' of French colonialism, which they see as a troubling politicization of history.
Key facts
- Historians Pierre Vidal-Naquet, Jean-Pierre Azéma, Elisabeth Badinter, Jacques Julliard, Jean-Pierre Vernant, Pierre Nora, Paul Veyne, and Françoise Chandernagor signed a petition against judicialization of history.
- The petition was a response to the lawsuit against historian Olivier Pétré-Grenouilleau for 'negationism' over his book on slave trades.
- Pétré-Grenouilleau's book, published by Gallimard, included Arab and African slave trades.
- The lawsuit was filed by a collective of Antilleans, Guyanese, and Réunionnais.
- The historians criticize the 1990 Gayssot Law, which criminalizes Holocaust denial.
- Art press magazine opposed the Gayssot Law from its inception.
- Writer Pierre Guyotat argued that legislating against denial of the Holocaust is like a divine decree.
- The petition was triggered by a debate on the 'positive role' of French colonialism.
- The historians warn against politicians and the state dictating official historical truths.
- The editorial was written by Jacques Henric for art press in February 2006.
Entities
Artists
- Pierre Guyotat
Institutions
- Gallimard
- art press
Locations
- France
Sources
- artpress —