France moves to repeal Code Noir, the slavery law it never abolished
Summary
France’s National Assembly is set to repeal the Code Noir, a law from 1685 that governed slavery in French colonies and classified enslaved people as property. Although slavery was abolished in France in 1848, this law remained formally on the books until now, prompting debate about how France has dealt with its colonial past.Key Facts
- The Code Noir was a royal decree signed by King Louis XIV in 1685 to control enslaved people in French colonies.
- The law treated enslaved individuals as movable property and allowed punishments like mutilation.
- France officially abolished slavery in 1848 but never formally repealed the Code Noir until this recent bill.
- The National Assembly is expected to approve the repeal in 2026.
- President Emmanuel Macron called the continued presence of the law on the books an offense.
- France was the third-largest participant in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting about 1.4 million Africans.
- Former French colonies like Guadeloupe and Martinique became full French departments in 1946 and are fully governed from Paris.
- The repeal is seen as a step toward addressing France’s colonial history, though full reckoning is ongoing.
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