On May 28, 2026, France’s National Assembly unanimously voted to annul the Code Noir, a law enacted in 1685 that once regulated slavery in French colonies. While no longer enforced, the law had remained on the books for centuries, making its repeal a noteworthy step in France’s reckoning with its colonial history.
- Code Noir governed slavery in French colonies from 1685.
- National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the law in 2026.
- Lawmakers and activists call for deeper actions beyond repeal.
What happened
For over three centuries, the Code Noir—a 1685 law signed by King Louis XIV—remained in French legal archives despite slavery being abolished in 1848. On May 28, 2026, France’s National Assembly took the historic step of unanimously voting to repeal this relic. The law had governed the treatment of enslaved people in France’s colonies, declaring them property and subjecting them to severe punishments, including mandated Catholic conversion and physical mutilation for attempting escape.
The repeal vote of 254 to zero is symbolic but significant, formally removing a slavery statute that lingered unaddressed for decades. While the Senate still must approve the measure, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for the action. The decision has been met with emotional responses from lawmakers, including Guadeloupe representative Max Mathiasin, who championed the bill. He described the vote as deeply moving, signifying an important acknowledgment of France’s colonial legacy.
Why it feels good
Removing the Code Noir from France’s legal books helps close an uncomfortable historical gap—a law that sanctioned human bondage overlooked for far too long. Lawmakers like Steevy Gustave of the Greens emphasized the importance of language in this process, insisting that descendants are not of slaves but of human beings who were forcibly enslaved. This correction publicly honors the dignity of those who suffered and passed down that history.
The clear, unanimous vote offers a collective acknowledgment of the injustices embedded within France’s past and serves as a step toward greater awareness. Symbolically, it aligns with global movements aiming to confront colonial histories honestly, encouraging national reflection and dialogue about systemic racism and social equity.
What to enjoy or watch next
While the vote is momentous, many voices stress that symbolic actions alone are not enough. Activists and lawmakers call for tangible measures, such as reparations and policy reforms, to address lasting racial inequities and the economic and psychological impacts of slavery. The demand for programs targeting educational disparities, healthcare, and debt relief—particularly in former colonies like Martinique and Haiti—remains urgent.