Algeria's Parliament Law Declaring French Colonialism a Crime

On 24 December 2025, Algeria’s National People’s Assembly unanimously adopted a bill defining France’s colonial rule over Algeria between 1830 and 1962 as a crime. The bill was voted on in an open session of the Algerian parliament, with members of parliament reported to have cast their votes wearing scarves in national colors. The adopted law comprehensively addresses crimes committed under French colonial administration.

Scope and Provisions of the Law

The text of the law lists various acts committed during French colonial rule and defined as “crimes,” categorized under specific headings. These include nuclear tests, extrajudicial executions, physical and psychological torture, and the systematic plundering of natural resources. The law also stipulates that glorification of colonialism or its propaganda shall be considered a criminal offense subject to penal sanctions.

Legal Responsibility and Demands

The law holds the French state legally responsible for the tragedies resulting from its colonial past. The adopted measure demands an official apology from France and asserts that the full and fair compensation for material and moral damages incurred during the colonial period is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people.

Catalog of Colonial Crimes

The law text catalogs the crimes attributed to the French colonial administration. This catalog specifically includes nuclear tests conducted in the Sahara region and the environmental and humanitarian devastation they caused, as well as the killing of civilians, use of banned weapons, and landmine deployment during the colonial era.

Historical Emphasis on Colonial Errors

During the legislative debate, parliamentarians referenced Algeria’s history of independence struggle and the enduring impacts of colonial rule. After the vote, conducted with members waving flags, it was reported that deputies chanted the slogan “Long live Algeria.”

Diplomatic and Legal Impact

Although the new law has been formally adopted by the legislative body, it is not expected to produce binding legal effects internationally. Nevertheless, it is noted that the law has had an impact on diplomatic relations between Algeria and France.