Members of France's National Assembly backed abolition of the royal edicts that governed slavery, though the bill falls short of some lawmakers' demands, including possible reparations.
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Members of France's lower house of parliament voted unanimously to abolish the "Code noir" — a series of royal edicts that historically regulated slavery — Deutsche Welle reported Thursday.
The bill, also known as the Black Code, passed without dissent in the National Assembly. However, the legislation stops short of measures demanded by some lawmakers, including possible reparations.
The vote is described as symbolic in nature. France has a complex history with the Code noir, which governed enslaved people across its former colonies.
The unanimous character of the vote marks a rare moment of cross-party consensus in the French parliament on a historically charged colonial legacy issue.
France's National Assembly unanimously voted to repeal the 'Code noir,' royal edicts that historically regulated slavery across former French colonies. The symbolic vote achieved rare cross-party consensus, though it does not include reparations measures some lawmakers sought.
This vote reflects France's ongoing reckoning with its colonial past and slavery history, which continues to shape contemporary debates about reparations and historical accountability in French politics. The unanimous passage signals potential movement on acknowledging historical injustices, though the bill's limitations may disappoint those advocating for more comprehensive remedies.