Proposal to recognize slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity

The French socialist minister, Christiane Taubira-Delannon, submits a proposal 'relating to the recognition of the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity' on 22 December 1998 and calls for the creation of a committee of experts to examine 'the conditions for reparations resulting from this crime'. The proposal will be revised between 1998 and 2001, leading to several debates on the inclusion of the word 'reparation' and on the role of the proposed committee. Ultimately, the word 'reparation' is removed from the final draft, but the so-called Taubira law has nonetheless been a catalyst for re-boosting reparations movements across the French Republic.