French deputies adopt law on restitution of looted cultural property, Baba Merzoug cannon excluded
via Algérie3603 min read
The French National Assembly unanimously adopted a bill to simplify the restitution of cultural property looted by France between 1815 and 1972. This legislation, fulfilling a promise by President Emmanuel Macron, awaits final validation after parliamentary review. While aiming to accelerate the return of artworks to their countries of origin, the bill has been criticized for its rigid scope, excluding military trophies and loot outside the specified timeframe. This notably impacts emblematic cases like the Baba Merzoug cannon, captured in Algiers and currently in Brest, and other items claimed by Algeria, including personal effects of Emir Abdelkader. An amendment, supported by the right and far-right, mandates that beneficiary states adhere to international conservation standards and ensure public access to restituted items, a condition the Minister of Culture argued could weaken the political impact of the text. The law seeks to streamline restitution procedures by replacing systematic parliamentary approval with a decree-based process, guided by strict criteria and scientific and parliamentary commissions. Despite efforts by left-wing deputies to broaden the law's scope, the exclusion of military trophies and the 1815-1972 timeframe remain, preventing the return of items like the Baba Merzoug cannon and the Codex Borbonicus. The state will be required to publish an annual inventory of works potentially acquired unlawfully to anticipate future restitution requests. Debates
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
Rachida Brakni, a Franco-Algerian actress, director, and singer, has declined the Legion of Honor, France's highest civilian award, after her name appeared on the prestigious July 14th civil promotion list. Brakni announced her decision on Instagram, stating that the "question of honor" extends beyond official medals. She expressed surprise at the nomination, which she was not informed about in advance. The 49-year-old actress explained that her sense of honor is a "precious moral duty" she strives to apply daily in her work, writing, and life choices, valuing the esteem of those important to her more than any distinction. Brakni attributes her strong principles to her late father, Kaddour, an Algerian immigrant worker, who instilled in her a strict upbringing and courage, providing her with a "passport to freedom" that fueled her social and artistic success, including César and Molière awards in 2002. Her book, "Kaddour," explores this spiritual connection and the complexities of exile, recounting the repatriation of her father's body to Tipaza, Algeria, during the pandemic, and honoring a generation of uprooted men between France and Algeria.
Saudia Airlines has inaugurated a new direct flight route connecting Oran, Algeria, to Medina, Saudi Arabia, starting July 13. This non-stop service aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two countries and enhance passenger comfort, particularly for pilgrims traveling for Hajj or Umrah. The flight from Oran's Ahmed Ben Bella Airport to Medina's Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz Airport takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes, covering a distance of about 4,040 kilometers. Saudia Airlines is deploying its Boeing 777-300 aircraft for this route. Additionally, a new Saudia Airlines physical agency has opened at Ahmed Ben Bella Airport in Oran, offering travelers the convenience of purchasing tickets, obtaining information, and managing travel arrangements directly at the airport. A one-way ticket from Oran to Medina is available from 107,205 DA. This new connection expands the network of direct flights from Algeria to major Saudi cities, complementing existing services to Jeddah, which operates twice weekly with a flight duration of 6 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes.
Must ReadAlgeria is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with its synthetic fertility index falling from nearly 8 children per woman after independence to approximately 2.5 children today. This data was presented by Mohamed Talhi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, during the World Population Day celebration. Despite this decline, Algeria maintains a young demographic structure, which Talhi highlighted as an opportunity to leverage a "demographic dividend" through continued investment in human capital, youth empowerment, and their contribution to national development. He also emphasized the need for proactive policies focusing on quality access to education, employment, health, housing, and family stability in response to global demographic transformations. The decrease in birth rate is attributed to major socio-economic changes, including increased education levels, growing urbanization, evolving marriage patterns such as a later age for marriage, greater female participation in the workforce, and improved living conditions. While the decline is notable, Algeria remains a leader in birth rates within the Maghreb region. A recent study by France's National Institute of Demographic Studies INED indicates that Algeria recorded a rate of 2.61 children per woman in 2024, compared to Morocco's 1.97 in 2023 and Tunisia's 1.58 in the same year, with Tunisia projected to drop to 1.53 in 2024. The study also noted a unique period for Algeria, where its birth rate rebounded a