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Christiane Taubira's 2001 Law Recognizes Slave Trade as Crime Against Humanity

cultural-heritage · 2026-07-14

A documentary on France.tv revisits the 2001 law spearheaded by Christiane Taubira, then a deputy from French Guiana, which unanimously recognized the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity. The law forced France to confront its colonial past. Taubira's hard-won victory came after years of activism and political struggle.

Key facts

  • Christiane Taubira was a deputy from French Guiana.
  • The law was passed unanimously in 2001.
  • The law recognizes the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity.
  • The law obliges France to confront its slaveholding past.
  • The documentary is titled 'Christiane Taubira, une loi pour mémoire'.
  • The documentary airs on France.tv.
  • The law was a historic text.
  • The victory was obtained after a hard struggle.

Entities

Institutions

  • France.tv
  • French National Assembly

Locations

  • France
  • French Guiana

Sources