French Parliament Votes to Repeal Slavery-Era 'Code Noir'

The French parliament has unanimously voted to repeal the 'Code Noir,' a 17th-century legal code that regulated slavery in French colonies. This symbolic repeal comes 180 years after the abolition of slavery in France, though discussions on reparations were avoided.

28 May, 13:24 — 28 May, 16:17

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Why this matters

The 'Code Noir' was a foundational legal document for French colonial slavery, codifying the brutal treatment and dehumanization of enslaved people. Its official repeal, even if symbolic, represents a significant acknowledgment of this dark chapter in French history and a step towards confronting its legacy, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions about historical injustices and reparations.

Key entitiesFrench National Assembly Code Noir King Louis XIV Jean-Baptiste Colbert Emmanuel Macron

The Story

What 15 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

The French National Assembly unanimously voted to repeal the 'Code Noir'.
The 'Code Noir' was a 17th-century legal text that regulated slavery in French colonies.
The 'Code Noir' defined enslaved people as 'movable property' or 'chattel'.
The repeal comes nearly 180 years after the formal abolition of slavery in France.

Key claims4 agreed

✓

The French parliament voted unanimously to repeal the 'Code Noir'.

agreed·publicodeloindex-hrdnevnik-bgDW+7

✓

The 'Code Noir' was passed in 1685 under King Louis XIV.

agreed·le-mondehotnewsklix-bale-figaro

✓

The repeal is a symbolic act.

agreed·DWle-monde

✓

Lawmakers avoided making a reference to reparations.

agreed·naftemporikistraits-times

Where they diverge

The scope of the repeal and related discussions

publicodeloindex-hrdnevnik-bgjamaica-gleaner+3 morehotnewsklix-bale-figaro

Focus solely on the repeal of the Code Noir as a significant, albeit delayed, historical correction.

DWsenewebnaftemporikistraits-times

Highlight that the repeal is symbolic and that lawmakers avoided addressing demands for reparations, a sensitive issue.

Coverage gaps

Mention of President Macron's support for the repeal and the raising of the 'sensitive issue of reparations'

Reportedseneweb

Missingpublicodeloindex-hr+10

The specific number of enslaved Africans (1.4 million) overseen by the Code Noir

ReportedAP

Missingpublicodeloindex-hr+10

Coverage matrix(15 sources)

1–10 of 15

	AP	le-monde	DW	le-figaro	publico	delo	index-hr	la-vanguardia	dnevnik-bg	hotnews
The scope of the repeal and related discussions
Mention of President Macron's support for the repeal and the raising of the 'sensitive issue of reparations'
The specific number of enslaved Africans (1.4 million) overseen by the Code Noir

Covered Divergent Not mentioned

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (84/100)

15 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 3/5 buckets covered17/33

Far L

Left7

Left (7)

publicodeloindex-hrdnevnik-bgDWle-mondehotnews

Center4

Center (4)

jamaica-gleanersenewebAPklix-ba

Right4

Right (4)

la-vanguardianaftemporikistraits-timesle-figaro

Far R

Geographic diversity— 14 regions34/34

France2Portugal1Slovenia1Spain1Croatia1Bulgaria1Germany1Jamaica1Senegal1Romania1Greece1US1Singapore1Bosnia1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

publico

index-hr

le-monde

delo

dnevnik-bg

hotnews

jamaica-gleaner

seneweb

klix-ba

la-vanguardia

straits-times

naftemporiki

le-figaro

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

publicocenter-leftcenter-leftneutral—Emphasizes historical correction of injustice

index-hrcenter-leftcenter-leftneutral—Focuses on the long-overdue repeal

le-mondecenter-leftcenter-leftanalyticalHighExplains historical context and symbolic repeal

delocentercenter-leftneutral—Highlights rare parliamentary unity on moral issue

dnevnik-bgcentercenter-leftneutral—Describes the law's dehumanizing aspects

DWcentercenter-leftanalyticalHighNotes symbolic nature and unfulfilled reparation demands

hotnewscentercenter-leftneutral—Focuses on the 'shameful laws' being abrogated

jamaica-gleanercentercenter-leftneutralMostly FactualHighlights historical significance for former colonies

senewebcenterleftanalyticalMixedConnects repeal to reparations debate, Macron's stance

APcentercenter-leftanalyticalVery HighProvides historical context of human cost

klix-bacentercenter-leftneutral—Focuses on the law's dehumanizing content

la-vanguardiacentercenterneutralMostly FactualIrrelevant article, no coverage of the story

straits-timescentercenter-rightanalyticalMostly FactualHighlights dodging of reparations call

naftemporikicentercenter-rightanalytical—Emphasizes avoidance of reparations discussion

le-figarocenter-rightcenter-rightneutral—Notes historical context and unanimous vote

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally leans center-left, with most outlets emphasizing the historical significance and moral rectitude of the repeal, while some also highlight the ongoing debate around reparations.

Sources

Showing 5 of 15 sources

APVery High12d ago

What to know about Code Noir, a shocking French law that oversaw the slavery of 1.4 million Africans - AP News

What to know about Code Noir, a shocking French law that oversaw the slavery of 1.4 million Africans AP News

Read full article →

le-mondeHigh12d ago

What is France's 'Black Code' that MPs finally voted to repeal?

The 'Code Noir,' passed in 1685 under King Louis XIV, defined the rules of slavery in France's colonies. The Assemblée Nationale voted to symbolically repeal it on Thursday.

Read full article →

DWHigh12d ago

France moves to symbolically repeal slavery legislation

Members of the lower house of the French parliament unanimously voted to abolish a series of royal edicts known as the "Code noir" or Black Code. The bill stops short of some lawmakers' demands like possible reparations.

Read full article →

straits-timesMostly Factual12d ago

French parliament backs repeal of slavery-era edicts, dodges reparations call - The Straits Times

French parliament backs repeal of slavery-era edicts, dodges reparations call The Straits Times

Read full article →

senewebMixed12d ago

Slavery: Macron supports the repeal of the "Code Noir" and raises the sensitive issue of "reparations" - Seneweb

Slavery: Macron supports the repeal of the "Code Noir" and raises the sensitive issue of "reparations" Seneweb

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: le-figaro · 28 May, 05:47|Full coverage: 15 · 18h|Window: 18h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

le-figaro28 May, 05:47First to report

Les députés s’apprêtent à voter ce jeudi pour l’abrogation du «Code noir», 178 ans après l’abolition de l’esclavage

7h later

klix-ba28 May, 13:14

Francuska i dalje ima zakon koji dozvoljava prodaju ljudi: Parlament će glasati o poništavanju "Crnog dekreta"

straits-times28 May, 13:24

French parliament backs repeal of slavery-era edicts, dodges reparations call - The Straits Times

AP28 May, 13:25

What to know about Code Noir, a shocking French law that oversaw the slavery of 1.4 million Africans - AP News

naftemporiki28 May, 13:54

Γαλλία: Το κοινοβούλιο ψήφισε υπέρ της κατάργησης των διαταγμάτων της εποχής της δουλείας, απέφυγαν την αναφορά σε αποζημιώσεις

hotnews28 May, 14:29

Deputații francezi au aprobat abrogarea legilor rușinoase din perioada regelui Ludovic al XIV-lea

seneweb28 May, 14:59

Slavery: Macron supports the repeal of the "Code Noir" and raises the sensitive issue of "reparations" - Seneweb

1h later

le-monde28 May, 16:13

El Gobierno francés se reúne para abordar la ola de calor entre críticas de la oposición

delo28 May, 17:44

Po 178 letih dokončno odpravili zakon, ki je zasužnjene obravnaval kot lastnino

6h later

publico28 May, 23:56Latest update

French Parliament Votes to Repeal Slavery-Era 'Code Noir'

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims4 agreed

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(15 sources)

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

What to know about Code Noir, a shocking French law that oversaw the slavery of 1.4 million Africans - AP News

What is France's 'Black Code' that MPs finally voted to repeal?

France moves to symbolically repeal slavery legislation

French parliament backs repeal of slavery-era edicts, dodges reparations call - The Straits Times

Slavery: Macron supports the repeal of the "Code Noir" and raises the sensitive issue of "reparations" - Seneweb

Coverage Timeline

Les députés s’apprêtent à voter ce jeudi pour l’abrogation du «Code noir», 178 ans après l’abolition de l’esclavage

Francuska i dalje ima zakon koji dozvoljava prodaju ljudi: Parlament će glasati o poništavanju "Crnog dekreta"

French parliament backs repeal of slavery-era edicts, dodges reparations call - The Straits Times

What to know about Code Noir, a shocking French law that oversaw the slavery of 1.4 million Africans - AP News

Γαλλία: Το κοινοβούλιο ψήφισε υπέρ της κατάργησης των διαταγμάτων της εποχής της δουλείας, απέφυγαν την αναφορά σε αποζημιώσεις

Deputații francezi au aprobat abrogarea legilor rușinoase din perioada regelui Ludovic al XIV-lea

Slavery: Macron supports the repeal of the "Code Noir" and raises the sensitive issue of "reparations" - Seneweb

What is France's 'Black Code' that MPs finally voted to repeal?

France’s parliament votes to repeal slavery-era Black Code - Jamaica Gleaner

France moves to symbolically repeal slavery legislation

Франция е напът да отмени законите за робството

Francuska ukinula zakon iz 17. stoljeća

El Gobierno francés se reúne para abordar la ola de calor entre críticas de la oposición

Po 178 letih dokončno odpravili zakon, ki je zasužnjene obravnaval kot lastnino

França anula por unanimidade e com atraso de 180 anos código legal que regulava escravatura

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Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims4 agreed

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(15 sources)

Political spectrum