Algeria Criminalizes French Colonization in Unanimous Parliamentary Vote Amid Parisian Condemnation

On December 24, 2025, Algeria's parliament unanimously adopted a groundbreaking law criminalizing French colonization, demanding formal apologies from France and affirming legal responsibility for colonial-era crimes. This legislation marks a significant intensification in the longstanding historical and diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France.

The newly enacted law identifies numerous grave injustices linked to colonization, including France's nuclear tests conducted between 1960 and 1966 on Algerian soil, extrajudicial executions, widespread torture, and systematic resource plundering. It criminalizes the glorification of 'Harkis' — Algerians who collaborated with the French military — and calls for full and fair compensation for the moral and material damages suffered. The bill also demands the restitution of archives related to the colonial era.

Despite its symbolic weight, experts such as historian Hosni Kitouni suggest the law holds limited international legal power, unable to compel France to act. This sentiment reflects broader concerns about mixing history and justice, as noted by Algerian jurist Tahar Khalfoune and French historian Benjamin Stora. They highlight potential complications this legislation could bring to the sensitive process of memory work and reconciliation between the two nations.

France’s official response was stern. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the law as "a manifestly hostile initiative," expressing regret that it complicates efforts to peacefully address colonial history. The Quai d’Orsay reaffirmed its desire to resume a demanding but necessary dialogue with Algeria, especially on shared priorities such as security and migration, though this move underscores strained relations. The Ministry emphasized the important historical memory work initiated by President Emmanuel Macron through joint French-Algerian historian commissions, which the Algerian law seemingly challenges.

Algerian President Brahim Boughali clarified that the law targets not a people but the colonial system, aiming neither for vengeance nor hostility. Still, the passage of this legislation signifies a pivotal moment, highlighting unresolved colonial legacies and fueling ongoing diplomatic friction between France and Algeria.