France Reopens Debate over Slavery Reparations
France’s National Assembly on Thursday symbolically approved the formal repeal of colonial-era laws known as the Code Noir, which had defined enslaved people as “movable property” under the monarchy.
Although slavery was abolished in France in 1848, the legal texts themselves, dating from 1685 to 1724, were never formally removed from French law.
The motion was approved unanimously, with all 254 lawmakers present voting in favor. The measure must still be confirmed by the French Senate.
Under the proposal, the French government would also be required to regularly inform parliament about the legacy of colonial legislation, the continuing effects of slavery in France’s overseas territories and the way this history is taught in schools.
The debate additionally revived the sensitive issue of reparations for slavery. Some lawmakers sought to include compensation mechanisms in the legislation, but the bill’s author, Max Mathiasin, argued that he did not want to “burden” the proposal with further political disputes.
President Emmanuel Macron has recently acknowledged that the question of reparations is legitimate, although he has not yet presented any concrete measures.