Algeria's Parliament Declares France's Colonisation a Crime, Demands Apology and Reparations
Algeria's parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation of Algeria a crime and demanding an official apology and reparations. The law criminalises the glorification of colonialism and asserts that France bears legal responsibility for the historical tragedies suffered by Algeria, requiring full compensation.
France has not yet commented on the vote. President Emmanuel Macron previously described colonisation as a crime against humanity but stopped short of issuing an official apology. The move by Algeria's parliament reflects increasingly strained relations between Algeria and France since Algeria's independence in 1962, tensions which have been further amplified by recent disputes related to Western Sahara diplomacy.
Algerian officials cite the 1830–1962 war as having killed about 1.5 million people, while French historians estimate a much lower figure. Algeria is also seeking the return of artefacts looted during colonial rule, including the Baba Merzoug bronze cannon currently held in Brest, France. In 2020, France returned the remains of 24 Algerian resistance fighters.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf stated that restitution would be governed by a clear legal framework, emphasizing that this is not a matter of gifts or favours but legal obligation. The parliamentary vote coincided with Algeria hosting a conference of African states focused on justice and reparations, and occurs amid broader discussions about overseas reparations.
Additional context includes Macron's stance on Western Sahara, which has further strained ties between the two countries, as well as the arrest and pardon of novelist Boualem Sansal over his remarks on borders, along with ongoing Algerian calls for accountability regarding colonial history.
