Key Facts

• France still had royal decrees from the 17th and 18th centuries that allowed slavery in its colonies, which have never been formally cancelled.
• President Macron called these decrees an "offence" and asked the government to repeal them.
• In 2001, France became the first country to recognize slavery as a crime against humanity but did not give reparations.
• Macron marked 25 years since this recognition with a speech at the presidential palace.
• He said the question of reparations is important but warned that the harm caused by slavery can never be fully repaired.
• France abolished slavery first in 1794, it was briefly reinstated in 1802, and abolished permanently in 1848.
• France aims to be color blind, but racism is still a challenge according to observers and activists.
• The bill to repeal these old slavery laws has passed a committee and now awaits votes by both houses of parliament.