Algiers, December 20, 2025 – The Algerian People’s National Assembly (APN) is currently deliberating a proposed law criminalizing colonialism, a move described by APN President Brahim Boughali as a sovereign act, a clear ethical stance, and a distinct political message underscoring Algeria’s unwavering commitment to its inalienable rights and its dedication to the sacrifices of its people and the legacy of its martyrs.
In his opening remarks at the discussion, Boughali stated that the law is not directed against any specific population, nor does it aim to exact revenge or incite hatred. Rather, it is rooted in the established principle that crimes against humanity are not subject to statutes of limitations, cannot be justified by force, and their files cannot be closed through silence. He emphasized that the proposed legislation is a matter of justice and historical accountability.
Boughali elaborated on the nature of French colonialism in Algeria, characterizing it as a comprehensive project of dispossession and alienation. He asserted that it involved the seizure of land, its confiscation from its rightful owners, and its distribution to settlers, effectively rendering Algerians strangers in their own homeland. Algerians were allegedly deprived of the resources of their land and denied the right to a dignified life, subjected to policies of impoverishment, starvation, and marginalization in a systematic attempt to break their will, erase their identity, and sever their connection to their historical and cultural roots.
The APN President stressed that the proposed law criminalizing colonialism is an act of fidelity before it is a legal text, and a defense of the truth before it is a political position. It sends a clear message both domestically and internationally that Algerian national memory is neither erasable nor negotiable, and that building the present and envisioning the future cannot be based on denying or overlooking the past.
In closing, Boughali affirmed that Algeria, in taking this sovereign step, reaffirms its commitment to international relations based on mutual respect, equality, and cooperation. The debate continues within the APN as the nation grapples with its colonial past and seeks to forge a path toward reconciliation and justice.
This is a developing story and DZWatch will continue to provide updates as they become available.
