Algeria Demands Official Apology from France,Classifies Colonial Rule as a Crime
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With the law,the Algerian parliament is demanding an “official apology” from Paris,which has not yet been given,and classified colonial rule as a crime.Algeria became autonomous on July 5, 1962; France had previously fought any resistance against the colonial power with extreme military force.
After the law was passed unanimously on Wednesday, images showed MPs in the plenary session in Algiers with sashes in the colors of the Algerian flag – white, red and green – around thier necks and applauding. The text of the law assigns the french state “legal obligation for its colonial past in Algeria and the tragedies resulting from it.”
“Crimes of French Colonization“
The text lists the “crimes of French colonization” that have not expired, including: “nuclear tests”, “extrajudicial executions”, the widespread “practical use of physical and psychological torture” and the “systematic plunder of the wealth” of the North African country. France tested nuclear weapons in the Algerian Sahara on several occasions between 1960 and 1966.
[Image of France suppressing resistance with military force]
The text goes on to say that “full and fair compensation for all material and non-material damage caused by French colonization is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people.” Comments on this from Paris have so far been rather half-hearted.
From Algiers’ viewpoint, “neither revenge nor stirring up resentment”
Algerian Parliament Speaker Brahim Boughali welcomed the unanimous adoption of the law by MPs. They shouted with great cheers: “long live Algeria!” During debates last weekend, Boughali assured that the move “does not target any people” and is “not aimed at revenge or fomenting resentment.”
[Image of Algerian Parliament with MPs celebrating]
Algeria Passes Law Condemning French Colonization, France Reacts with Criticism
December 25, 2025 – Algeria has passed a law condemning French colonization as a “crime against humanity,” escalating tensions between the two nations. While French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the colonization as a crime, he has stopped short of a formal apology. The new Algerian law has drawn sharp criticism from the French Foreign ministry, which views it as a unfriendly act hindering dialog.
https://www.orf.at/stories/3334494/
The law’s passage comes amidst a period of strained relations, with “Le Monde” reporting a new low in diplomatic ties. The French Foreign Ministry released a statement calling the law “a clearly hostile initiative that runs counter to both the will to resume the Franco-Algerian dialogue and an objective discussion of questions of memory.” Despite this,the ministry expressed a desire to continue working with Algeria on issues of “security and migration.”
https://www.orf.at/stories/3334494/
Experts suggest the law’s practical impact on reparations claims may be limited. Historian Hosni kitouni of the University of exeter explained to AFP that “legally speaking, this law has no international scope and therefore cannot bind france.” However, he emphasized its meaning as “a break in France’s culture of remembrance.”
https://www.orf.at/stories/3334494/
Discussions within France highlight concerns about the law’s potential to complicate historical reconciliation. “Liberation” newspaper hosted a discussion between an Algerian lawyer and a French historian,who raised concerns about a potential “confusion between history and justice.”
The Algerian war of Independence (1954-1962) was a brutal conflict, resulting in significant loss of life and lasting trauma on both sides. France officially ended its colonial rule in Algeria in 1962.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Algerian-War
While Macron has acknowledged the suffering caused by French colonialism, his reluctance to issue a formal apology continues to be a point of contention. The passage of this law by Algeria signals a firm stance on confronting the legacy of colonial rule and seeking a re-evaluation of historical narratives.
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