Boughali: Criminalizing colonialism is an issue of an entire people – Algerian Al-Hiwar newspaper

The President of the National People’s Assembly, Ibrahim Boughali, confirmed that the proposed law criminalizing French colonialism in Algeria represents “the issue of an entire people,” noting that this initiative transcends differences and sensitivities to confirm Algeria’s adherence to its sovereign right and the protection of national memory.

During a public session in the presence of members of the government and representatives of revolutionary family organizations, Boghali explained that the text is not limited to being just legislation, but rather constitutes a moment of awareness and loyalty and a turning point in the path of modern Algeria, by enumerating the crimes of colonialism, determining the responsibility of the French state, and establishing mechanisms to demand recognition and apology, while approving penal measures to criminalize the glorification of colonialism or its promotion.

Boghali pointed out that French colonialism was an integrated project of uprooting and dispossession, which included confiscating lands, plundering wealth, imposing policies of exile and forced displacement, in addition to mass massacres and nuclear tests in the desert, stressing that these crimes do not have a statute of limitations and cannot be forgotten.

The President of the Council concluded by saying that the law reflects the Algerian people’s loyalty to the national memory and their continued insistence on defending sovereignty and dignity, stressing that protecting historical truth constitutes a basis for building the present and anticipating the future.