Algerian Radio
Algeria advocated this Thursday in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, for the formal and explicit international recognition by United Nations organizations and former colonial powers of the systematic criminal nature of practices associated with slavery and colonialism.
Representing the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at the High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparatory Justice and Historical Reparations for the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the President of the Conseil of the Nation, Mr. Azzouz Naciri, issued a "renewed and sincere appeal for the establishment of explicit international recognition, by UN organizations and former colonial powers, of the systematic criminal nature of slavery and colonial practices, and all other grave violations targeting the African people."
Mr. Naciri emphasized that Algeria "supports the involvement of African historians and international law experts in a joint integrated effort to collect documents, testimonies, and undeniable legal evidence proving the targeting of the continent's peoples throughout the eras of slavery and colonialism."
Drawing from its glorious struggle and unique liberation experience against one of the most heinous forms of settler colonialism in the 20th century, Algeria announced its full readiness to place its historical documents, physical evidence, and documented testimonies at the disposal of competent African and international bodies. He noted that Algerian soil witnessed "horrific violations and appalling crimes committed in attempts to suppress the will of its people, including acts of genocide and the use of prohibited chemical and nuclear weapons."
Furthermore, the President of the Conseil of the Nation welcomed the UN General Assembly's resolution designating the Transatlantic slave trade as one of the most heinous crimes committed against humanity. He extended his congratulations to the friendly nation of Ghana for its "notable diplomatic success" in securing this resolution, which he described as a "victory for historical truth" and a "pivotal turning point in providing justice to millions of victims."
During his address, Mr. Naciri reaffirmed Algeria's steadfast support for all African Union (AU) initiatives aimed at establishing a clear legal approach that classifies both slavery and colonialism among the most dangerous international crimes in human history.
He recalled with pride Algeria’s hosting of the high-level international conference in late 2025, titled "Colonial Crimes in Africa: Toward Establishing Historical Truth and Criminalizing Colonialism." This conference culminated in the "Algiers Declaration", which was endorsed by the AU Summit in February 2026. This document serves as a comprehensive roadmap based on key priorities, including: the official recognition of colonial crimes, the inclusion of the criminalization of colonialism within contemporary international law, the preservation of historical memory, and the restitution of looted cultural property, national archives, and the human remains of victims held abroad.
Mr. Naciri also expressed satisfaction with the AU’s adoption of the Algerian proposal to designate November 30th of each year as an official African day to commemorate the victims of the Transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and apartheid.
In conclusion, he reminded the international community that the African demand for reparations is a "legitimate aspiration for redress and the correction of historical imbalances," pointing out that on April 12, 2026, the Algerian Parliament unanimously approved a law criminalizing colonialism.
