French National Assembly Unanimously Abrogates the Code Noir, Confronting Colonial Slave Laws

On May 28, 2026, the French National Assembly took a landmark step by unanimously voting to abrogate the Code Noir along with all related royal edicts that had regulated slavery in the French colonies. Although slavery was abolished in France in 1848, these historical laws had never been formally repealed until now.

The series of royal edicts, including the infamous Code Noir, which legally institutionalized slavery, had technically remained on the books despite having no legal force in contemporary French law. This legislative decision thus aims to formally annul these documents to underscore France’s commitment to confronting and recognizing the injustices of its colonial past.

Deputies hailed this measure as a "work of global recognition" acknowledging the deep scars left by slavery. The abrogation is seen not only as a legal rectification but as a symbolic and historical reckoning with France's role in institutionalizing slavery.

Among the emotional moments during the Assembly's debate was a speech by Deputy Steevy Gustave, who reflected on his personal family history, stating, “I think of my great-grandmother,” a poignant reminder of the human legacy tied to these laws.

This unanimous vote in the National Assembly in first reading marks a pivotal moment in French legislative history as it formally sheds laws that had long been obsolete but remained a symbolic reminder of colonial oppression. The formal repeal reinforces France’s ongoing endeavor to address its colonial legacy and its implications in modern society.