Algeria's parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation of the North African state a crime, and demanding an apology and reparations. The law criminalises the glorification of colonialism, according to state-run TV reports. This legislative move is the latest indicator of increasingly strained diplomatic relations between the two nations, now viewed as at their lowest since Algeria's independence 63 years ago.
France's colonisation of Algeria, which lasted from 1830 to 1962, was marked by mass killings and large-scale deportations, culminating in a bloody war of independence. Algeria claims the conflict claimed 1.5 million lives, while French historians present a significantly lower toll.
Previously, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Algeria's colonisation as a crime against humanity, yet he has not formally apologised. In a show of patriotism, lawmakers celebrated the bill's passage in parliament while wearing national flag color scarves and chanting long live Algeria.
The legislation asserts that France holds legal responsibility for the calamities it instigated, and stresses that the full and fair compensation is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people. France has yet to issue a statement regarding the vote.
This legal framework appears during a time of mounting pressure on Western nations to provide reparations for historical injustices, including colonialism and the return of cultural artifacts. Algerians have long sought the return of significant items taken during colonization, including a historic bronze cannon from the 16th century, currently held in France.
The landscape of Franco-Algerian relations further deteriorated last year following comments by Macron supporting Moroccan claims over Western Sahara, an issue Algeria strongly opposes. Diplomatic ties were strained further by the arrest and imprisonment of French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, only to be pardoned recently by Algeria's president.
The recent legislative actions by Algeria affirm its intentions to pursue recognition and reparations for colonial injustices while marking a notable chapter in its complex relationship with France.
France's colonisation of Algeria, which lasted from 1830 to 1962, was marked by mass killings and large-scale deportations, culminating in a bloody war of independence. Algeria claims the conflict claimed 1.5 million lives, while French historians present a significantly lower toll.
Previously, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Algeria's colonisation as a crime against humanity, yet he has not formally apologised. In a show of patriotism, lawmakers celebrated the bill's passage in parliament while wearing national flag color scarves and chanting long live Algeria.
The legislation asserts that France holds legal responsibility for the calamities it instigated, and stresses that the full and fair compensation is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people. France has yet to issue a statement regarding the vote.
This legal framework appears during a time of mounting pressure on Western nations to provide reparations for historical injustices, including colonialism and the return of cultural artifacts. Algerians have long sought the return of significant items taken during colonization, including a historic bronze cannon from the 16th century, currently held in France.
The landscape of Franco-Algerian relations further deteriorated last year following comments by Macron supporting Moroccan claims over Western Sahara, an issue Algeria strongly opposes. Diplomatic ties were strained further by the arrest and imprisonment of French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, only to be pardoned recently by Algeria's president.
The recent legislative actions by Algeria affirm its intentions to pursue recognition and reparations for colonial injustices while marking a notable chapter in its complex relationship with France.
