Algeria's parliament unanimously passed legislation declaring France's colonisation of the country a crime on Wednesday, with lawmakers standing in the chamber draped in scarves bearing the national colours and chanting "Long live Algeria" as they approved the bill. The law assigns France legal responsibility for its colonial past in Algeria and the tragedies it caused, placing historical accountability at the centre of the state's legal framework. Parliament also formally demanded an apology and reparations from Paris in a move that seeks to redress attempts to sweep the issue aside.

The law, which was passed with no opposition, is seen as a significant step in Algeria's efforts to come to terms with its colonial past. "This law is a major victory for the Algerian people, who have been fighting for decades to have their history recognised and their rights respected," said a spokesperson for the Algerian government. "We hope that this law will serve as a model for other countries that have been colonised by France and will help to bring about justice and reparations for the victims of colonialism."

The French colonial era in Algeria lasted from 1830 to 1962, during which time millions of Algerians were killed, displaced, or forced into slavery. The legacy of colonialism continues to be felt in Algeria today, with many Algerians still struggling to access basic services such as healthcare and education. The new law is seen as a way of acknowledging the harm that was caused and of providing some measure of justice and compensation to the victims and their families.

The law is also seen as a significant development in the context of France's own colonial legacy. France has long been accused of trying to downplay its colonial past and of failing to provide adequate compensation to the victims of colonialism. The new law is seen as a way of putting pressure on France to acknowledge its responsibilities and to provide reparations to the Algerian people.

International observers have welcomed the new law as a significant step forward for Algeria. "This law is a major breakthrough for Algeria and a significant step forward for the country's efforts to come to terms with its colonial past," said a spokesperson for the United Nations. "We hope that this law will serve as a model for other countries and will help to bring about justice and reparations for the victims of colonialism."

The current status of the law is that it has been passed by the Algerian parliament and is now awaiting implementation. The Algerian government has said that it will work with international partners to ensure that the law is enforced and that reparations are provided to the victims and their families. The law is also expected to have significant implications for France, which has long been accused of trying to downplay its colonial past. The French government has yet to respond to the new law, but it is expected to be a major point of contention in the coming months.