The French parliament has unanimously repealed a 17th-century law that classified people as property during the colonial period.
Although slavery was officially abolished in France two centuries ago, this law from the time of King Louis XIV, known as the “Black Code”, was never formally completely removed from the legal system, although it has long been out of practice.
Under that colonial law, enslaved people were treated as movable property, and the regulations allowed for their abuse, sale, and severe violations of basic human rights.
The MP from the Caribbean island of Martinique, Stevie Gustave, said during the debate that the decision itself is not enough to erase the consequences of history.
– We are not descendants of slaves. We are the descendants of people born free, who were then reduced to slavery – said Gustav.
French President Emmanuel Macron previously pointed out that the law “should never have survived” the abolition of slavery in the 19th century, adding that the long-standing disregard for this legal act was a form of injustice.
France participated in one of the largest slave trades in history, during which about 1.4 million Africans were transferred to plantations, whose wealth significantly contributed to the development of cities such as Nantes and Bordeaux.
(Vijesti.ba)
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