French parliament votes to repeal slavery-era Black Code
Summary
The French National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir, a 1685 law that treated enslaved people as property in French colonies. Although slavery was abolished in 1848, this law remained on the books, and its formal removal is seen as a step toward acknowledging France’s colonial past.Key Facts
- The Code Noir was a law from 1685 that classified enslaved people as movable property in French colonies.
- It allowed slave owners to control and punish enslaved people harshly, including beatings, sales, and even death.
- France abolished slavery in 1848, but the Code Noir was never formally repealed until this vote in 2024.
- The National Assembly unanimously voted 254-0 to remove the law from French legislation.
- French overseas departments like Guadeloupe and Martinique still have residents mostly descended from enslaved people.
- These regions face higher poverty and unemployment than mainland France despite being part of the country.
- Lawmakers from these regions see the repeal as a way to honor their ancestors and challenge ongoing racial inequalities.
- President Emmanuel Macron called the continued existence of the Code Noir a form of offense but did not issue a formal apology.
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