Algerian Parliament Unanimously Approves Bill to Criminalize French Colonization

On Wednesday, the lower house of the Algerian parliament took a historic step by unanimously approving a bill aimed at criminalizing French colonization. This move serves as a strong demand from Algeria for reparations and official apologies from France for the widespread violence and abuses that characterized the colonization from 1830 to 1962, a period marred by mass killings and forced deportations. The proposal holds primarily symbolic value, as it is regarded as unlikely to produce concrete outcomes. Notably, the law does not obligate France to comply with Algeria's requests. However, the legislation describes colonization as an 'unforgivable state crime' and officially calls on the French government to return national archives allegedly taken after Algeria's independence, as well as looted cultural properties and the remains of Algerian resistance fighters. Among the abuses outlined in the law are nuclear tests, extrajudicial executions, and systematic looting of Algeria's resources. It also introduces a crime of glorifying colonialism, which stipulates penalties of five to ten years of imprisonment and monetary fines for anyone who praises French colonialism through media outlets, academic publications, or social networks. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged the colonization of Algeria as a crime against humanity, yet he has never issued a formal apology to the nation. Following the parliament's approval of the bill, the French Foreign Ministry condemned the legislation as a 'manifestly hostile initiative,' reflecting the fraught relations between the two nations. The diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria has escalated during the past year, leading to the worst tensions since the Algerian independence in the 1960s. The situation deteriorated further on July 30, 2024, when France expressed support for Morocco's claims over Western Sahara, a territory contested by Morocco and the Polisario Front—a movement advocating for independence and receiving support from Algeria after enduring Moroccan occupation for over four decades. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3