French Senate Repeals Colonial-Era Code Noir Regulations

The French Senate voted on October 20, 2026, to repeal the Code Noir, a set of regulations established between 1685 and 1724 to govern enslaved people in French colonies. The laws remained in the legal code for 178 years after the permanent abolition of slavery in 1848. This vote follows a unanimous decision by the lower house of Parliament in May.

Emmanuel Macron supported the repeal, stating that the long-term presence of the code was a "form of offense" and a "betrayal of what the Republic stands for." The new legislation extends beyond the repeal, requiring the government to investigate the lasting consequences of slavery in overseas territories, its impact on modern racism and discrimination, and the integration of this history into school curricula.

Proponents describe the move as an act of reparative justice. However, critics argue the measure is primarily symbolic, noting that it does not address other colonial-era rules or provide financial reparations.