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UDK 94(44)^[343.412:343.431:326.8:805.53](091)”19/20″

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

The date the article was first submitted to the publication 8.12.2025

The date the article was accepted for publication after review 19.01.2026

The date of publication (publication)

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1998—2001 ON THE CHRISTIANE TAUBIRA’S BILL ON RECOGNIZING SLAVE TRADE AND SLAVERY AS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY

SYPKO Bogdana

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3136-9340
  • Candidate of History, docent,
  • The Ivan Franko National University of Lviv,
  • Department of Modern World History,
  • 1, Universytetska str., 79000, Lviv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-­mail: bogdanasypko@gmail.com

Abstract. Introduction. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, France adopted a number of laws that shaped key approaches to memory policy. Prominent among them is Law of May 21, 2001, recognizing the slave trade and slavery as a crime against humanity, called the «Taubira’s law».

Problem Statement. Given the ambiguous attitude among historians and at the same time the unanimous acceptance by parliamentarians, it is relevant to analyze which points caused the discussion among deputies and senators.

Purpose of this article is to find out, based on parliamentary documents, why the debates were so long, as well as to trace the positions of representatives of various political forces and analyze the arguments they used to support or criticize some points of this bill.

Methods. The general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as special scientific comparative-historical and chronological methods are used in the work.

Results. The discussion in the National Assembly was much more active and dynamic. The project found a particular response among politicians of the left spectrum and representatives of overseas departments/territories. Among the key arguments put forward by parliamentarians: the longest and deadliest crime against humanity, the trauma of the descendants of slaves, modern racism is the heir to slavery and the slave trade, recognition of this crime against humanity would confirm France’s reputation as the Motherland of Freedom. The success of this bill in the National Assembly is partly due to the oratory talent of C. Taubira. In the Senate, discussions were not so lively, the bill spent 13 months in both first and second readings. The lobbyists for its passage were senators from overseas departments/territories.

Conclusion. The «Taubira’s law» is a product of its time: in 1990 was prohibited Holocaust denial, in 1999 — the recognition of the Algerian War of 1954—1962, in 2001 —  of the Armenian genocide committed by Turkey.

Keywords: «Taubira’s law», crime against humanity, National Assembly, parliamentary debates, politics of memory, postcolonialism, slavery, Senate, France.

REFERENCES

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