France unanimously repeals colonial-era 'Code Noir' slavery law

France has unanimously voted to repeal the colonial-era "Code Noir", closing a legal loophole that had survived the country's abolition of slavery in 1865, according to POLITICO Europe.

The Code Noir was a body of law originally governing slavery in French colonial territories. Despite the formal abolition of slavery in France in 1865, elements of this colonial-era legal framework had remained on the books, representing what legislators described as an unresolved legacy of the country's history.

The unanimous nature of the vote signals cross-party consensus on removing the statute. POLITICO Europe did not specify the date of the vote or which legislative chamber passed the repeal.