Algeria advances bill to criminalize France’s colonial actions

Algeria is moving forward with a proposed law aimed at criminalizing France’s actions during its colonial rule, according to The New Arab.

Ibrahim Boughali, President of Algeria’s lower house of parliament, the People’s National Assembly (APN), has reportedly formed a commission tasked with drafting the legislation.

"We cannot allow the truth to be ignored: the criminalization of colonialism is not an option, but a national and moral duty towards our martyrs and our history," Boughali stated.

The bill seeks to shed light on a range of atrocities committed during France’s occupation of Algeria from 1830 to 1962 and the Algerian people’s struggle against colonialism.

Among the cited incidents are the deaths of hundreds of Algerians allegedly burned alive in caves near Dahra in 1845, the massacre of an estimated 45,000 people on May 8, 1945, and nuclear tests in the Sahara that left lasting contamination in surrounding communities.

Once finalized, the bill will be presented to the government for final approval.

While the drafting committee has not outlined specific sanctions against France if the bill is passed, some analysts suggest it could pressure France to acknowledge greater responsibility for its colonial actions — potentially including reparations for victims.