Call for Legislation Criminalizing Colonial France: Algerian Lawmakers Demand Accountability for Nuclear Crimes

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algerian Parliament Urges France to Acknowledge Its Historical Atrocities and Compensate Victims

Algiers, Algeria | February 14th, 2025 — Algerian lawmakers and experts have issued a resounding call for the enactment of legislation that would criminalize France’s colonial-era crimes, particularly its nuclear explosions in Algeria. This demand was made during a symposium organized by the People’s National Assembly (APN) in Algiers, focusing on the catastrophic human and environmental consequences of France’s nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara. Participants stressed the necessity of compelling the French state to recognize its historical culpability and to be held legally accountable for crimes against humanity.

The conference, held under the theme “French Nuclear Explosions in Algeria: A Crime Against Humanity and the Environment,” concluded with an unequivocal recommendation to draft a national law that would formally incriminate colonial France. This proposed legislation aims not only to compel France to acknowledge its nuclear atrocities but also to open the door for dual legal proceedings—both criminal and civil—against the French state. The initiative seeks to rectify decades of impunity and ensure that France is legally bound to answer for its actions, including nuclear genocide and the widespread devastation inflicted upon Algerian land and people.

Intensifying Pressure on France for Just Compensation

Central to the discussions was the urgent necessity of pressuring France to compensate the victims of its nuclear experiments, which left entire communities suffering from long-term radiation exposure, genetic disorders, and environmental degradation. The participants underscored the importance of encouraging victims and their families to pursue international litigation to demand fair reparations for the damage inflicted upon them. Legal experts at the event called for mobilizing diplomatic and judicial channels to hold France accountable under international law.

Furthermore, attendees highlighted the importance of preserving historical records by systematically documenting testimonies from moudjahidine and civilians who lived through the nuclear detonations. These testimonies are to be incorporated into Algeria’s national archives to ensure that future generations remain aware of the colonial horrors endured by the country.

Institutionalizing Memory and Providing Ongoing Medical Support

In recognition of the lasting impact of these nuclear tests, the symposium’s recommendations included the establishment of a National Center for Nuclear Memory dedicated to studying the environmental and health consequences of the explosions. Experts urged the government to launch periodic field studies to monitor the health of affected populations and to provide specialized medical care for radiation victims.

To reinforce collective historical awareness, the participants also proposed integrating the subject of France’s nuclear tests into Algeria’s school curriculum. They emphasized the necessity of fostering scientific and historical discourse around the issue, as well as supporting cinematic and academic projects that shed light on the suffering endured by the victims and the enduring environmental repercussions of the nuclear detonations.

This initiative represents a significant step in Algeria’s continued struggle for historical justice, ensuring that colonial France’s nuclear crimes are neither forgotten nor ignored. As pressure mounts on the French government to acknowledge and atone for its past, Algeria is resolutely forging a path toward accountability, justice, and recognition for those who have borne the devastating consequences of colonial exploitation.

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