politics
French Parliament Votes to Repeal 1685 Code Noir
The National Assembly passed a bill 254-0 repealing the colonial-era Code Noir that classified enslaved people as property. The measure removes a law that lost force in 1848 but remained on the statute books.
May 28, 12:13 PM·1m read3 sources
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Los Angeles TimesAudio version
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France's lower house of parliament voted Thursday to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, a royal decree that governed slavery in French colonies. The National Assembly approved the bill 254-0. The measure eliminates a text that defined enslaved people as movable property and prescribed punishments including branding and death for those who fled.
It had remained in the legal code nearly two centuries after France abolished slavery in 1848.
Louis XIV signed the 60-article decree to regulate the treatment of enslaved Africans in French colonies. Article 44 stated that the enslaved were assets a master could acquire like real estate. " He added, "We are not descendants of slaves. " Max Mathiasin, the Guadeloupe lawmaker who introduced the repeal bill, said the vote restores "our ancestors, restoring our humanity" and helps France live up to its motto of liberty, equality, fraternity.
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