France’s lower house of parliament votes unanimously to repeal the “Code noir,” a set of colonial-era royal edicts that regulates slavery in French territories and remained on the books even after slavery is abolished in 1848. Several outlets note that, although slavery ends in 1848, the Code noir is never formally eliminated as law, leaving the legal texts in place for nearly two centuries. The repeal is presented as a symbolic but notable step toward confronting France’s colonial and slavery history. Reporting also highlights that the bill does not meet all demands raised by some lawmakers and advocates. Coverage says the measure stops short of proposals such as reparations, even as the vote reopens discussion about whether France should take further steps to address the legacy of slavery and colonialism. The unanimous vote and the focus on removing long-standing legal provisions are described across sources, though emphasis differs between outlets on the symbolic nature of the action and the ongoing reparations debate.
French lower house votes unanimously to repeal Code Noir slavery law
France’s lower house of parliament votes unanimously to repeal the “Code noir,” a set of colonial-era royal edicts that regulates slavery in French territories and remained on the books even after sla...
- French lawmakers vote unanimously in the lower house to repeal the Code noir, a slavery-regulating legal code.
- The Code noir is described as colonial-era royal edicts that remains formally in French law after slavery ends in 1848.
- The measure is characterized as a symbolic step in addressing France’s slavery and colonial past.
- Some lawmakers and experts call for further action beyond repeal, including possible reparations, which the bill does not provide.
- The vote is reported to reopen public and political debate in France about reparations and historical responsibility.
Now that France has finally repealed the so-called Code Noir or Black Code, experts are urging the country to also consider the issue of reparations. The Code Noir was the law that effectively regulated slavery by making people like property, notably in the French colonies – enabling people to be worked, beaten, sold, raped and even killed. It was only repealed last week, even though France abolished slavery back in 1848. In Perspective, we spoke to Olivette Otele, a historian and professor at SOAS in London.
2 months agoFrench MPs vote to repeal law that governed slavery in colonies.
2 months agoFrance abolished slavery in 1848, but the Code Noir was never formally eliminated as a law. The vote is seen as a significant step in addressing France's colonial past.
2 months agoMembers of the lower house of the French parliament unanimously voted to abolish a series of royal edicts known as the "Code noir" or Black Code. The bill stops short of some lawmakers' demands like possible reparations.
2 months agoMembers of the lower house of the French parliament unanimously voted to abolish a series of royal edicts known as the "Code noir" or Black Code. The bill stops short of some lawmakers' demands like possible reparations.
2 months agoLawmakers voted unanimously to strip the “Code Noir,” the texts that regulated slavery until it was abolished in 1848. Some experts are urging the government to go farther.
2 months ago
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