Algerian parliament approves law declaring French colonial rule a crime

Algeria’s parliament unanimously passed a law declaring France’s colonization of the North African country a crime and demanding an apology and compensation.

The law also criminalizes the glorification of colonialism, state television reported.

The vote is the latest sign of growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which some observers say are at their lowest point since Algeria gained independence 63 years ago.

French colonial rule of Algeria from 1830 to 1962 was filled with mass murders and mass deportations, ending with a bloody war of independence. Algeria says the war killed 1.5 million people, while French historians believe the death toll was much lower.

French President Macron previously admitted that the colonial rule of Algeria was a “crime against humanity” but did not apologize.

According to Agence France-Presse, lawmakers wore scarves in the colors of the national flag and shouted “Long live Algeria” as they applauded the bill’s passage in parliament.

The statement said that legislation stipulates that France is “legally responsible” for the tragedy it caused, and that “full and fair” compensation is “an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people.”

France has yet to comment on the vote.

Meanwhile, Western powers are under increasing pressure to make reparations for slavery and colonialism and to return looted artifacts still in their museums.

Algerian lawmakers have been demanding that France return a 16th-century bronze cannon called Baba Merzoug, meaning “blessed father,” which is considered a protector of Algiers, now the capital of Algeria.

In 1830, on a third attempt, French troops captured the city and dismantled the cannon – which is now located in the port city of Brest in northwestern France.

In 2020, France returned the remains of 24 Algerian soldiers who died while resisting French colonial forces in the 19th century.

Last month, Algeria hosted a conference of African countries to push for justice and reparations.

Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Ataf said the legal framework would ensure that compensation would be considered neither “a gift nor a favour”.

Diplomatic relations between Algeria and France soured last year after Macron announced France recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and backed plans for limited autonomy for the disputed territory.

Algeria supports the pro-independence Polisario Front in Western Sahara and is considered its main ally.

French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal was subsequently arrested at Algiers airport and jailed for five years before being pardoned by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune last month.

Prosecutors said he undermined national security by making comments questioning Algeria’s borders.