Brussels — On 25 March 2026, the United Nations General Assembly made a historic proclamation. With 123 votes in favor, three against, and 52 abstentions, the UN declared the transatlantic slave trade ‘the gravest crime against humanity’. This marked a significant achievement for the Global South, following decades of advocacy by the African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
France, despite its reputation for championing human rights, chose to abstain. This decision reflects France’s enduring internal conflict between its universalist ideals and its historical involvement in slavery. To understand France’s abstention, one must consider the complex legal and emotional factors at play regarding its past.
The Anatomy of a Compromise
France’s abstention was officially justified by Nicolas Forissier, the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, who cited concerns over the resolution’s wording. France argued that labeling the slave trade as ‘the most serious crime’ might create a hierarchy of atrocities, conflicting with the idea of universal crimes against humanity.
This explanation, however, conceals deeper issues. In 2001, France became the first country to recognize slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity through the Taubira Act, although the act avoided mentioning reparations or financial responsibility. Jean-Marc Ayrault and Aïssata Seck from the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery noted that while the act acknowledged historical truths, it denied justice to victims.
France’s abstention in 2026 was driven by a persistent fear of opening discussions on reparations. By abstaining, France maintains control over its narrative, accepting historical facts but not the legal consequences. The government worries that supporting the resolution, which calls for ‘dialogue on reparations’, could weaken its position against compensation claims.
This decision sparked outrage in France’s overseas territories, where the legacy of slavery remains a living memory. In the National Assembly, figures like Max Mathiasin of Guadeloupe condemned the abstention as a ‘missed opportunity’. Leaders from Martinique and French Guiana, such as Senator Victorin Lurel, criticized the government for what they saw as a moral and historical failure.
Media reactions were mixed. Publications like Le Figaro questioned the classification of the acts as historical crimes and pointed to the role of African elites in the slave trade. Conversely, the overseas press and leftist media felt betrayed, arguing that by not signing the resolution, France was isolating itself from the Caribbean community while trying to strengthen ties with Africa.
A Legacy of Memory: Christine Mirre’s Perspective
Amidst political discussions, Christine Mirre, director of CAP LC and CAP LC’s UN representative, offers a perspective rooted in international human rights. Her family history is intertwined with Guadeloupe’s past, tracing back to 1664, involving both slave owners and ‘free people of colour’.
For Mirre, France’s abstention is more than a diplomatic stance; it represents a continued denial. She argues that while the state acknowledges historical wrongs in theory, it avoids implementing solutions to address the legacy of suffering.
Mirre’s work focuses on severe human rights crises globally. She highlights the same diplomatic blindness in French history, as seen in issues like institutional violence, which mirrors the state’s reluctance to confront its history of slavery.
France’s refusal to support the UN resolution underscores its struggle with its slavery legacy, unable to reconcile its universalist identity with historical crimes. Efforts by MPs to address France’s slave-trading past frequently encounter obstacles rooted in decisions made 25 years ago, separating truth from justice.
For human rights advocates like Mirre, whose family history is marked by the Caribbean’s turbulent past, this abstention poses a challenge to rehabilitation efforts. Her response is a call for vigilance rather than sensationalism.
Despite France’s abstention, the resolution passed, but this history cannot be ignored. Descendants of slaves like Mirre will continue to advocate for full recognition from their homeland.
The question remains: Will Paris fully acknowledge its history and obligations to its citizens, or continue to avoid its responsibilities of memory, justice, and reparation for its slavery past?
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