Algeria Passes Law Labeling French Colonization as Crime

The Algerian parliament has unanimously adopted a new law that formally characterizes the French colonization of the country as a state crime. Passed on December 24, the legislation focuses on the historical period spanning from 1830 to 1962.

The law places specific demands on the French Republic, asserting that it bears legal responsibility for the colonial past and the tragedies that resulted from it. Consequently, the legislation requires Paris to issue official apologies regarding this history.

The National People's Assembly served as the legislative body where the measure was approved without dissent. The unanimous nature of the vote highlights a unified political stance across the chamber regarding the assessment of historical events.

By securing a unanimous vote, the parliament signals that the view of the colonial era as a state crime transcends typical political divisions within the country. This collective agreement strengthens the mandate of the law as it moves forward.

The legislation specifically targets the timeframe of 1830 to 1962, covering the entirety of French rule in Algeria. The classification of these events as a state crime introduces a specific legal terminology to the historical narrative.

Under the provisions of the new law, the French Republic is held accountable for the colonial legacy. The text explicitly links the historical period to ongoing demands for redress, moving beyond historical analysis to specific legal and diplomatic claims.

The core objective of the legislation is the pursuit of official apologies from the French government. The law does not merely seek acknowledgment of past events but mandates a formal request for contrition from Paris.

This demand for apologies is framed as a necessary step in addressing the tragedies cited in the legislation. The passage of the law sets a new baseline for diplomatic engagement between Algeria and France regarding the colonial past.