Algeria set to vote on law criminalising French colonial rule Holding Paris accountable

Algeria’s lawmakers are preparing to vote on a draft law that would criminalise France’s colonial rule in Algeria, a move described by the parliament speaker as a “defining milestone” in the country’s modern history.

The legislation, scheduled for discussion on December 24 in the People’s National Assembly, seeks to officially acknowledge and hold France accountable for the actions taken during its colonisation of Algeria from 1830 to 1962. The draft law is structured into five chapters and 27 articles, grounded in international law principles supporting historical justice and legal redress, Caliber.Az reports via Press TV.

Introducing the bill, Speaker Ibrahim Boughalii called it “a supreme act of sovereignty, a clear moral stance, and an unambiguous political message,” affirming Algeria’s commitment to the sacrifices of its people. He added that French colonisation extended beyond resource exploitation, encompassing “systematic impoverishment, starvation and exclusion” aimed at erasing Algerian identity and severing historical roots.

French rule in Algeria lasted over 130 years and was marked by widespread abuses, including torture, massacres, enforced disappearances, and economic exploitation. Algeria achieved independence in 1962 after a brutal war that resulted in up to 1.5 million deaths and millions displaced. France has previously acknowledged its responsibility for systematic torture during the conflict but has refused to issue a formal apology.

Relations between Paris and Algiers have deteriorated further since July 2024, when France recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara—a decision strongly opposed by Algeria. Tensions escalated again in April 2025 following the indictment of an Algerian consular official in France over an alleged abduction of a dissident, prompting Algeria to expel 12 French embassy employees in retaliation.

Observers warn that the December 24 vote could significantly strain diplomatic ties, adding a sensitive new dimension to the complex relationship between the former colonial power and its former colony. As of now, the French government has not issued an official response to Algeria’s parliamentary debate.

By Vugar Khalilov