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France 24
France 24
National
FRANCE 24

Macron backs symbolic repeal of France's slavery laws, warns against 'false promises' on reparations

Emmanuel Macron France Slavery Republic
France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the law recognising the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity at the
France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the law recognising the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 21, 2026. © Thibault Camus, AFP

President Emmanuel Macron endorsed repealing centuries-old royal decrees that codified slavery in French colonies on Thursday, calling their continued existence “an offence” to the Republic. Marking 25 years since France recognised slavery as a crime against humanity, Macron also reopened debate on reparations.

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday endorsed the symbolic repeal of royal decrees that governed slavery in French colonies, as France confronts its history and the sensitive issue of reparations.

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