Algeria passes law declaring French colonisation a crime

France's rule over Algeria from 1830 to 1962 is marked by mass killings and large-scale deportation

Algeria's parliament has unanimously approved a law declaring France's colonisation of the country a crime and demanded an apology and reparations.

Lawmakers, standing in the chamber wearing scarves in the colours of the national flag, chanted long live Algeria" on Wednesday as they applauded the passage of the bill, which states that France holds legal responsibility for its colonial past in Algeria and the tragedies it caused".