Introduction
Countries embroiled in violent conflicts put the lives of their citizens at great risk. Political violence that arises during such conflicts, particularly during wars for independence and civil wars, serves to further the agendas of independent actors against a state or other stakeholders in the dispute. Regardless of the underlying causes behind such conflicts, political violence, as depicted in the film The Battle of Algiers, cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Main body
The historical war film The Battle of Algiers, directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, depicts the Algerian war for independence. France colonized Algeria in 1830, with the native citizens, specifically those who subscribed to Islam, being denied the same fundamental rights granted to the European settlers (Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs). The country struggled against the rule of the French government from 1954 to 1962, with the film being released in 1966 (Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs). The Battle of Algiers presents a balanced view of the war, depicting the French army and the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) committing violence against their opponents and citizens of Algeria (Pontecorvo). Throughout its screentime, the film shows the scenes of torture, murder, and bombings, truthfully reflecting the reality of war and raising the critical question of whether political violence can be justified.
The events depicted in the film allow arguing against political violence. The torture portrayed in The Battle of Algiers is both physical and psychological. The film begins with the FLN operative being tortured by the French army and being forced to disclose the location of one of the movement’s leaders, Ali la Pointe (Pontecorvo). He is further mentally tortured by being presented with a French uniform (Pontecorvo). Such acts of physical and psychological abuse cannot be justified. Torture is used deliberately and as an instrument of manipulation to achieve specific political goals. In this case, it can be argued that other methods of obtaining information were available to the French. Nevertheless, they opted to treat a member of the opposing forces in a dehumanizing manner, showing their antipathy to the people of Algeria. Thus, the French forces disregarded the fifth Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that no human being should be subjected to degrading punishment (United Nations). The circumstances of the French and Algerian forces being at war should not be viewed as a morally justifiable excuse to violate the human dignity of another person.
Other questionable acts of political violence depicted in the film include bombings of two cafes carried out by Algerian operatives. Female militants, including Zohra Drif, planned and executed the bombings that resulted in several French citizens being killed and left dozens injured (Pontecorvo). These bombings can be viewed as terrorist attacks as they were aimed at provoking fear in the French population and compelling the French government to withdraw its forces from Algeria. These terrorist acts are inexcusable and go against fundamental human rights. Specifically, they contradict Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that every person has the right to liberty, life, and security (United Nations). Terrorist attacks of such magnitude provoke and prolong military action, further undermining the fundamental human rights of the citizens.
Summary
In summary, political violence cannot be justified under any circumstances. The fight for independence from an oppressive force does not provide a reasonable defense against murder, torture, and terrorism. The acts depicted in The Battle of Algiers contradicted the fundamental human rights of the French and Algerian citizens of Algeria and led to further escalation of the conflict and the loss of thousands of lives. Violence, depicted as serving a justifiable political purpose, should be viewed as inexpiable.
Works Cited
Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. “Ethics on Film: Discussion of “The Battle of Algiers”.” Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, 2009, Web.
The Battle of Algiers. Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, Rizzoli, 1966.
United Nations. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” United Nations, Web.