The National Assembly unanimously repeals the Black Code

The National Assembly unanimously adopted the repeal of the Code Noir, the text promulgated in 1685 by Louis XIV that regulated slavery in the French colonies. This symbolic vote marks an important step in the recognition of the crimes linked to the slave trade and slavery. Although this text has had no legal force since the abolition of slavery in 1848, its formal repeal fulfills a long-standing demand from memorial associations and descendants of slaves.

A unanimous gesture of remembrance

The Code Noir meticulously regulated the lives of slaves in the colonies, defining their status as chattel and codifying corporal punishment. Its legislative repeal constitutes a powerful act of remembrance, aiming to definitively turn the page on this dark period in French history. Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum agreed on the necessity of this action, which follows on from the 2001 Taubira Law recognizing the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity.

This decision comes at a time when issues of historical memory are playing an increasingly prominent role in French public debate. The repeal of the Code Noir has no concrete legal consequences but carries significant symbolic weight. It reflects the legislature's commitment to fully embracing France's historical legacy and officially acknowledging the suffering inflicted by the colonial slave system.