The Algerian People’s National Assembly (APN), the lower house of parliament, is set to debate a proposed law criminalizing French colonialism in Algeria from 1830 to 1962. This marks the first time such a proposal will be discussed in a public parliamentary session.
According to a statement released following a meeting of the APN’s bureau, chaired by Speaker Ibrahim Boughali, the public session dedicated to discussing the proposed law will take place on December 21st. The session will include the presentation of the proposal, a preliminary report, and interventions from the heads of parliamentary groups.
Boughali stated that “this step comes in response to the consensus of all political currents on this issue, in honor of the memory of our esteemed ancestors, from the generation of resistance to the generation of the glorious liberation revolution.” He emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during the colonial period.
The committee responsible for drafting the law has been provided with the necessary resources to carry out its mission, including access to experts, legal professionals, and individuals interested in issues of memory and crimes committed against Algeria during the French colonial era. This underscores the seriousness with which the Algerian government is approaching this legislation.
The proposed law, which aims to address the historical injustices of the colonial period, is scheduled for a vote on December 24th, alongside other legislative matters. This will be the first time the parliament publicly discusses a law criminalizing France’s 132-year colonial rule in Algeria.
A parliamentary committee composed of seven deputies, including representatives from various parliamentary blocs and an independent member, drafted the proposed law. The APN Speaker appointed this committee on March 23rd, highlighting the cross-party support for addressing this sensitive historical issue.
The parliamentary debate on the proposed law comes at a time when Algerian-French relations are experiencing a period of tension. The outcome of the debate and the subsequent vote will be closely watched both domestically and internationally. The potential impact on future relations between Algeria and France remains to be seen.
