The Algerian national flag waving near the parliament building during a session on the French colonial state crime bill.

The Algerian parliament is set to vote on a historic bill declaring French colonization a state crime against the nation.

Algeria is taking a bold and decisive step toward historical justice. On Wednesday, the nation’s parliament is scheduled to vote on a landmark bill that officially labels France’s decades-long colonization as a "state crime."

The proposed law is more than just a gesture; it represents a formal demand for an official apology and financial reparations from Paris. According to a draft of the bill, the legislation explicitly holds France legally responsible for the "tragedies and suffering" inflicted during its colonial rule.

This move comes at a time of deepening diplomatic tension between Algiers and Paris. The Speaker of the Parliament, Brahim Boughali, described the bill as a "sovereign act," making it clear to the world that Algeria’s national memory is not for sale and cannot be erased.

The historical weight behind this decision is immense. France occupied Algeria for over 130 years, from 1830 until 1862. This era was marked by severe repression, forced displacement, and a brutal eight-year war for independence.

The human cost remains a point of intense debate. While French historians estimate the death toll at around 500,000, Algerian authorities maintain that over 1.5 million people lost their lives in the struggle for freedom.

French President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged that colonization was a "crime against humanity," yet he has consistently stopped short of issuing a formal apology. This refusal continues to be a major source of friction between the two countries.

In response to the upcoming vote, the French foreign ministry has remained tight-lipped, describing the move as a domestic political debate in a foreign country.

Historians and legal experts suggest that while the law may not be internationally binding for France, its political impact is massive. It signals a total rupture in diplomatic relations and a refusal by Algeria to move forward without full historical accountability.