French colonialism declared a crime in Algeria

A new chapter has been added to the political tensions betweenFrance and Algeria. The Algerian National People's Assembly has put to a vote a bill declaring France's colonial activities in the country from 1830 to 1962 a crime. During the session chaired by Assembly Speaker Ibrahim Boughali,the bill was presented for a vote. Lawmakers, who attended the vote wearing scarves featuring the Algerian flag,unanimously passed the bill. During the approval of the bill, the lawmakers chanted"Longlive Algeria" slogans. The Algerian Assembly also demanded that Parisdemanded an officialapology and reparations for its colonial past in Algeria.

In his statement,Assembly Speaker Boughalistatedthat the law is significantfor both domestic and foreignsending a clear message to theinternationalpublic, he stated,"Algeria'snational memory can neither be erased nor become a subject of negotiation."

Following the passage of the bill, Boughali, in order to emphasize the special significanceof the session, invited the deputies to sing the Algerian national antheminvited them to stand inrespect.

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Anopenly hostile move"

In a statement made by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs,The statement criticized the approval of the bill. In the statement, the adoption of the law was described as "contrary to both the desire to restart the French-Algerian dialogue and the past regarding effortsto calm thesituation weredescribedas an "openlyhostile step." The ministry stated that France and the French people, particularly regardingsecurity and migration issues,are primarily prioritizing themeeting of interestsfor dialogue with Algeriaintenseefforts to maintainare continuing, he stated.

"A historicalturning point."

The law, which was described by the Assembly as a "historic turning point," holds France legally responsible for its "colonial past and the tragedies it caused."imposes and places historical accountabilityat the center of the state's legal framework. Within the scope of the law, Frenchcolonial rule'scrimes committed against the country's peopleincludethenuclearnuclear tests, extrajudicial executions, physical and psychological torture, and the systematic looting of resources are included. Furthermore, French colonialismcaused all material and moral damages, for which full and fair compensationis an inalienable rightof the Algerian state and its people,it was emphasizedthat this is a non-negotiable right. is being drawn.

Experts state that the law in questionhas no binding effect on France, but emphasizethat it holds great political and symbolic importance, noting that itsignals a rupture in relations with France, and they underscore this point.

It is known that relations between Algeria and France have become increasingly tense since the Paris administration recognized Morocco''s autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region in June 2024.It is known that relations between Algeria and France have become increasingly tense since the Paris administration recognized Morocco's autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region in June 2024.

France's past in Algeria...

France, which began its occupation of Algeria in 1830, withdrew from the countryuntil 1962, thetortureand massacres it carried out, as well as the exploitation of economic resources,caused deep wounds in the history of the North African country.France, against the country's indigenous Muslim populationcarried out mass killingsby forcingandlarge-scalemassdisplacements.The

Algeria's war of independence from 1954 to 1962 remains the country's historical memhad left another mark on its history. Algeria states the death toll during its war of independence was 1.5 million.