Algeria's parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation of the North African state a crime, demanding an apology and reparations. The law also criminalises the glorification of colonialism, state-run TV reports. The vote is the latest sign of increasingly strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, which observers say are at their lowest since Algeria gained independence 63 years ago.
France's colonisation of Algeria between 1830 and 1962 was marked by mass killings, large-scale deportations, and ended in a bloody war of independence. Algeria says the war killed 1.5 million people, while French historians put the death toll much lower. France's President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged the colonisation of Algeria was a 'crime against humanity' but has not offered an apology.
Lawmakers wore scarves in the colours of the national flag and chanted 'long live Algeria' as they applauded the bill's passage through parliament. The legislation states that France has 'legal responsibility' for the 'tragedies it caused', asserting that 'full and fair' compensation is an 'inalienable right of the Algerian state and people'. France has not yet commented on the vote.
The recent move comes amidst growing pressure on Western powers to offer reparations for slavery and colonialism and to return looted artefacts still held in their museums. Algerian lawmakers have demanded the return of a 16th Century bronze canon, known as Baba Merzoug, captured during the French takeover and currently residing in France.
In 2020, France returned the remains of 24 Algerian fighters who resisted French colonial forces. Diplomatic relations soured when Macron backed Morocco over Western Sahara, leading to further tensions as Algeria supports pro-independence movements there.
France's colonisation of Algeria between 1830 and 1962 was marked by mass killings, large-scale deportations, and ended in a bloody war of independence. Algeria says the war killed 1.5 million people, while French historians put the death toll much lower. France's President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged the colonisation of Algeria was a 'crime against humanity' but has not offered an apology.
Lawmakers wore scarves in the colours of the national flag and chanted 'long live Algeria' as they applauded the bill's passage through parliament. The legislation states that France has 'legal responsibility' for the 'tragedies it caused', asserting that 'full and fair' compensation is an 'inalienable right of the Algerian state and people'. France has not yet commented on the vote.
The recent move comes amidst growing pressure on Western powers to offer reparations for slavery and colonialism and to return looted artefacts still held in their museums. Algerian lawmakers have demanded the return of a 16th Century bronze canon, known as Baba Merzoug, captured during the French takeover and currently residing in France.
In 2020, France returned the remains of 24 Algerian fighters who resisted French colonial forces. Diplomatic relations soured when Macron backed Morocco over Western Sahara, leading to further tensions as Algeria supports pro-independence movements there.
