Algeria passes law declaring French colonisation a state crime, demands apology and reparations

Algerian Parliament Declares French Colonization a Crime

On Wed, Algerian Members of Parliament unanimously passed a bill declaring French colonization of Algeria a "crime of state." This legislation demands an apology and reparations.

The President of the Assembly emphasized that the bill sends a "clear political message that Algeria's memory is neither erasable nor negotiable."

France governed the North African nation from 1830 to 1962. The war of independence, lasting eight years, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Algerians.

The law outlines crimes committed by French forces, including torture, nuclear testing, and resource exploitation.

French President Emmanuel Macron has previously recognized France's colonization of Algeria as a "crime against humanity" but has not issued an apology.

While the bill holds no legal authority over France, analysts suggest it signifies a considerable shift in bilateral relations.

Tensions between Algeria and France have been escalating, partly due to France's support for Morocco's autonomy plan over the Western Sahara region. Algeria views this as a betrayal of its support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.

The countries have engaged in reciprocal diplomatic expulsions following the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France.

Migration issues have further strained relations. France has accused Algeria of not accepting the return of Algerian nationals expelled from France, prompting France to impose travel restrictions on Algerian diplomatic passport holders. Algeria has condemned this as a breach of bilateral agreements and cautioned of "strict and immediate countermeasures."

Based on reporting by Africanews.