French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed the repeal of centuries-old royal decrees known as the Code Noir, which codified slavery in French colonies, calling their continued existence "an offence to the Republic" on 21 May 2026 during a ceremony at the Elysee Palace [1, 2].
The Code Noir, issued in the 17th and 18th centuries, governed slavery in French colonies and was never formally repealed after slavery was abolished. Macron said the decrees' presence remains "incompatible with the values of the republic" [1, 2].
France recognized slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity in 2001 but stopped short of offering reparations. Macron marked the 25th anniversary of this legislation in the ceremony [1, 2].
Macron stressed the need to confront the legacy of slavery while cautioning against unrealistic expectations. He said, "We must have the honesty to say that we can never fully repair this crime, because it is impossible. You will never one day be able to put a number on it, or find words that would bring this history to a close" [1].
He announced, "That is why I am asking the government to take up the bill aimed at repealing the Code Noir." Lawmakers on the National Assembly's law committee supported the repeal bill on 20 May 2026, with votes in both houses required next [1].
Pressure has mounted from activists and some politicians seeking to address racial inequalities linked to France’s colonial past. Macron also announced a joint research initiative with Ghana to study the long-term effects of slavery and advise policymakers [2].
Nearly 70 million people live in France today, reflecting its diverse society shaped by history [1]. The repeal bill now moves to wider parliamentary debate after committee approval, representing a concrete step in addressing France’s colonial legal legacy [1].
