• Algeria’s upper house approved a law classifying French colonial rule (1830–1962) as a crime.

• Authorities framed the legislation as a legal and institutional recognition of colonial abuses.

• The move risks deepening tensions with France amid ongoing disputes over history, migration and geopolitics.

Algeria is preparing to take a new step in its memory policy with the adoption of a draft law that classifies French colonial rule as a crime. On Sunday, April 12, the Council of the Nation, the upper house of Parliament, approved the text, which defines the period of French domination from 1830 to 1962 as criminal.

Authorities presented the initiative as a tool to preserve national memory. They also aimed to honor the sacrifices made during the colonial period. Following the vote, Minister of Moudjahidine and Rights Holders Abdelmalek Tacherift described the law as “the ultimate response of the Algerian people through its representatives to the former colonizer.” He denounced crimes that “horrify human memory and will remain a historical curse haunting the occupiers,” according to Algeria Press Service.

Lawmakers launched the legislative process in March 2025 when National People’s Assembly President Brahim Boughali announced the creation of an ad hoc commission to draft the bill. A joint committee bringing together both chambers of Parliament subsequently refined the provisions. It focused on precise terminology, legal consistency and harmonization of articles.

The government aims to move the recognition of colonial crimes from a moral register to a clearly established legal and institutional framework. The commission defined historical and legal responsibilities to reflect the severity of violations. It based its work on principles of truth, fairness and the preservation of rights, in line with Algeria’s official position on memory issues.

The law comes amid persistently strained relations between Algiers and Paris. Disputes involve migration issues, historical grievances and diplomatic positions, including France’s support for Morocco over Western Sahara. Colonial memory remains a major point of friction. In September 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron referred to a “memorial rent” maintained by Algeria’s “political-military system,” triggering a diplomatic crisis that led Algeria to recall its ambassador to Paris.

The initiative forms part of a broader trend across Africa. It echoes the United Nations’ recognition of African slavery as a crime against humanity of extreme gravity, adopted in March in a process led by Ghana and supported by Algeria.

Ingrid Haffiny