Algeria Declares French Colonial Rule a Crime Against Humanity

Algeria’s parliament has taken a significant step in addressing its colonial past by unanimously passing a law that declares France’s 132 years of colonial rule a crime against humanity. This landmark decision comes amid strained relations between Algeria and France, highlighting the ongoing impact of historical grievances.

Legislation and Its Implications

On March 15, 2024, members of the People’s National Assembly, Algeria’s lower house of parliament, voted in favor of the bill, which was introduced earlier in the week. The law explicitly holds France responsible for its colonial past, stating that it bears “legal responsibility for the tragedies it caused.” It emphasizes that “full and fair compensation for all material and moral damages” resulting from colonization is an essential right for the Algerian state and its people.

Parliament speaker Ibrahim Boughali remarked that the vote sends “a clear message, both internally and externally, that Algeria’s national memory is neither erasable nor negotiable.” This statement reflects the deep-seated sentiments in Algeria regarding its colonial history, which has shaped the nation’s identity and politics.

Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions

France ruled Algeria from 1830 until the country gained independence in 1962, following a brutal war marked by violence and human rights abuses. Estimates suggest that the conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Algerians, a legacy that continues to affect relations between the two nations.

The new legislation demands that France offer an official apology and reparations for various atrocities, including nuclear tests conducted in Algeria’s Sahara desert between 1960 and 1966. These tests, including the infamous detonation of the plutonium-filled Blue Jerboa bomb, have left lasting physical and psychological scars on the Algerian population.

Although there has been some progress in recent years, such as French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledging specific atrocities, France has yet to issue a comprehensive apology for its colonial history. This lack of acknowledgment has contributed to the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Relations further soured in July 2024, when France shifted its long-standing position by endorsing Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara. Algeria, a key supporter of the Sahrawi independence movement, condemned this move, leading to a diplomatic fallout characterized by reciprocal measures, including the withdrawal of diplomatic privileges for staff in both countries.

The recent parliamentary vote is a culmination of decades of calls from Algerian authorities and civil society for France to take full responsibility for its colonial actions. As Algeria continues to seek justice for its past, the passage of this law marks a pivotal moment in its quest for recognition and reparations.