Algiers – The French publication Le Point has ignited controversy by dedicating a special feature to criticizing Algeria’s proposed law criminalizing French colonialism. The feature has drawn sharp criticism within Algeria for what is perceived as a biased and revisionist perspective on a sensitive historical issue.
Adding fuel to the fire, Franco-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud is accused of portraying the national legislative effort as a mere political maneuver with domestic and international implications. Daoud’s unsubstantiated claims, including insinuations about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s alleged influence, have been met with widespread condemnation.
These assertions are viewed as detached from reality and disregard the overwhelming national consensus in Algeria regarding the historical injustices of colonialism and the nation’s sovereign right to legislate on matters of national importance.
Le Point’s coverage attempts to link the law to alleged geopolitical conflicts, with Daoud reportedly suggesting an “Islamization of the national historical narrative.” Critics argue this is a blatant attempt to downplay the significance of parliamentary consensus and the documented historical realities of French colonialism in Algeria.
The historical record is clear: French colonialism involved widespread crimes against humanity, including systematic killings, torture, property confiscation, nuclear testing, and attempts to erase Algerian national identity. The Algerian law, overwhelmingly approved by parliament, aims to document these truths and safeguard national memory, free from external interference or foreign political agendas.
The Algerian Parliament has affirmed that the law criminalizing French colonialism is a landmark achievement reflecting a collective awareness of the importance of protecting national history and preserving memory. Parliamentarians emphasized that the law is not a subject for opportunistic political exploitation but a unifying sovereign issue demanding a responsible approach rooted in historical truth. The legislative body further asserted that documenting these facts through law sends a clear message that core national issues can only be addressed through unity and adherence to historical accuracy, and that the law represents a sovereign response to the hostile policies of the former colonial power.
