France's National Assembly votes to repeal the Code Noir, a 17th-century slavery law

France's National Assembly voted to repeal the Code Noir, a 1685 decree that governed slavery and legally classified enslaved Black people as property. The unanimous vote on May 28, 254-0, marks a significant step toward formally erasing this historical law, though it still requires Senate approval. The Code Noir's continued presence in French law had recently come to light, prompting renewed calls to address the legacy of slavery. Issued under King Louis XIV, the Code Noir imposed brutal punishments and defined enslaved individuals as movable property. While France abolished slavery in 1848, the repeal of this decree is seen by some as a symbolic gesture, with activists highlighting ongoing inequalities.