Algeria does not trade its memory and sovereignty for any material return

The report of the equal-member committee charged with studying the text criminalizing colonialism confirmed Algeria’s adherence to its principled and consistent position on the issue of historical memory, based on the necessity of France’s recognition of colonial crimes, considering that this is a sovereign issue linked to preserving the historical truth and preserving the dignity of the martyrs.

This approach comes in line with what was expressed by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on more than one occasion, as he stressed that Algeria, which sacrificed millions of martyrs for its freedom and independence, cannot trade its memory or sovereignty for any material return, and that its basic demand is official recognition of the crimes committed during the colonial era.

The report explained that the draft text aims to transfer the demand for official recognition from a symbolic or moral framework to a clear legal and institutional framework, thus contributing to establishing historical facts, protecting national memory, and honoring the caravans of martyrs whose blood redeemed Algeria’s freedom and independence. The text also establishes a balanced approach based on recognition of truth, fairness, and preservation of rights, in line with the official position of the Algerian state in dealing with the memory file, which is based on the principle of historical justice as a basic pillar of national identity.

The report indicated that the proposed amendments included canceling Article 1 and deleting the phrase “apology” from Article 9 to become the new wording, emphasizing that Algeria is seeking by all legal and judicial means to ensure official recognition by France of its colonial past, in addition to canceling some other articles such as Articles 10, 20, and 25, in accordance with the state’s legal and institutional approach in dealing with this file.

Observers believe that this step reflects a trend towards framing the memory file within a clear legal framework aimed at establishing historical facts and strengthening Algeria’s sovereign position in its demand to recognize the crimes of colonialism.