Background on Argelia’s Colonial Past and the New Legislation
Argelia’s Parliament unanimously approved a bill consisting of nearly thirty articles to criminalize the French colonial period that lasted for 132 years between the 19th and 20th centuries. The legislation is grounded in the right of peoples to self-determination and the principles of non-impunity and historical reparation.
Key Objectives of the Bill
- Recognition and Apology from France: The bill aims to secure an acknowledgment and apology from France for the crimes committed during the colonial era, including “murders and military attacks against civilians.”
- Criminalizing Specific Acts: The legislation outlines nearly thirty crimes, such as the use of non-conventional and internationally prohibited weapons, placing mines, conducting nuclear tests in Argelinian Sahara, extrajudicial executions, kidnappings, rapes, looting the Argelinian state treasury, and practicing torture.
- Protecting National Memory: The bill’s purpose is not to target the French people but rather to address colonialism, safeguarding Argelia’s national and territorial memory.
Reactions from Argelia’s Officials
Ibrahim Boughali, President of the Parliament, emphasized that the bill targets colonialism rather than the French people to “protect the nation’s and territory’s national memory.” Meanwhile, Abdelmalek Tachrift, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, celebrated the new law, stating it elevates Argelia to a position where it can confront its oppressor on equal terms.
Historical Responsibility and Penalties
Abdelmalek Tachrift highlighted the historical responsibility of those who committed these crimes, stressing that they must offer a formal and explicit apology as a minimum requirement for historical justice. The bill also imposes penalties of five to ten years in prison for insulting victims’ memories or glorifying/justifying the colonial past.
Contextualizing Argelia’s Struggle for Independence
Argelia gained independence only in 1962 after a protracted liberation war. Despite achieving independence, the country continued to be subjected to nuclear tests until at least four years later. This new legislation signifies Argelia’s commitment to addressing past injustices and preserving its national memory.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of this bill? The primary goal is to criminalize French colonial crimes committed during the 132-year period and seek recognition, apology, and reparation from France.
- Which specific acts are outlined in the bill? The legislation details nearly thirty crimes, including the use of non-conventional weapons, placing mines, nuclear tests in Argelinian Sahara, extrajudicial executions, kidnappings, rapes, looting the state treasury, and practicing torture.
- What are the penalties for offending victims’ memories or glorifying colonialism? The bill imposes penalties of five to ten years in prison for such offenses.
- Why is this legislation significant for Argelia? This law represents Argelia’s dedication to addressing historical injustices and preserving its national memory, following a long struggle for independence from French colonial rule.
