A new Algerian law could trigger a diplomatic backlash in Paris, France as the former colonial master faces growing rejection from Franco Africa.
France has “legal responsibility” for the “tragedies it caused”, and “full and fair” compensation was an “inalienable right of the Algerian state and people”, the Algerian parliament said on Thursday.
Algeria’s parliament unanimously passed a law declaring France’s colonisation of the North African state a crime, and demanding an apology and reparations.
The law also criminalises the glorification of colonialism.
Between 1830 and 1962 France colonised Algeria. This period was marked by mass killings, large-scale deportations and ended in a bloody war of independence.
Algeria says the war killed 1.5 million people, however, the French historians put the death toll much lower.
Algerian lawmakers have been demanding that France return a 16th Century bronze canon, known as Baba Merzoug, meaning “Blessed Father”, that was regarded as the protector of Algiers, now Algeria’s capital.
French forces captured the city in 1830, on their third attempt, and removed the cannon – which is now in the port city of Brest in north-western France.
In 2020, France returned the remains of 24 Algerian fighters who were killed resisting French colonial forces in the 19th Century.
Last month, Algeria hosted a conference of African states to push for justice and reparations.
