French parliament votes to abolish colonial-era slavery laws

Thursday 28 May 2026 - 13:30

The French National Assembly has unanimously approved a bill aimed at formally abolishing the “Black Code” and other colonial-era laws that regulated slavery in French territories during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Although these texts lost their legal effect after the abolition of slavery in 1848, they had never been officially removed from French law. The parliamentary vote has therefore been presented as a symbolic and historical act intended to recognize the suffering caused by slavery and colonial oppression.

The “Black Code,” introduced under the reign of King Louis XIV in 1685, defined enslaved individuals as property and established severe punishments for those attempting to escape. Historians consider it one of the most significant legal foundations of slavery in the French colonial empire.

Lawmakers from different political groups supported the proposal, describing it as an important step toward historical recognition and collective memory. Several deputies stressed that removing these texts from the legal system reflects the values of equality and human dignity defended by the modern French Republic.

The debate in parliament also reopened broader discussions about France’s colonial history, racial discrimination, and social inequalities that still affect many overseas territories and Black communities today. Some representatives argued that symbolic measures must be accompanied by concrete political and economic efforts to reduce longstanding inequalities.

Emotional speeches marked the parliamentary session, with several lawmakers sharing personal family stories linked to slavery and colonial history. Others highlighted the presence of statues and historical figures associated with the colonial system near major French institutions, fueling renewed debates about historical memory.

The bill also calls for a government report examining the long-term consequences of colonial laws, including their impact on racism, education, and public awareness of slavery in France.

Another major issue discussed during the debates was the question of reparations. Some lawmakers noted that former slave owners had historically received financial compensation after the abolition of slavery, while enslaved people themselves did not.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently expressed support for the initiative, stating that maintaining such texts in French law, even symbolically, contradicts the principles of the Republic.

The proposed law must now be reviewed by the French Senate before becoming final legislation.