FRANCE INFO, SLATE AFRIQUE (France)
PARIS – A French woman of Guadeloupian origins, Rosita Destival, has filed suit against the French state for not having emancipated one of her ancestors after the legal abolition of slavery.
The woman’s lawyer cites the 2001 bill stating that slavery was now considered to be a crime against humanity. The CRAN (Representative Council of France’s Black associations) joined the cause, and claimed that they shall “make lawsuits fall like rain,” according to France info. The 1848 Abolition decree indeed stipulated that there can be a compensation made…to the slave drivers, to make up for economic loss.
The American bank JP Morgan got caught in a similar case in 2005 as it was accused of “building its initial capital partly thanks to slaves,” reports France info through Le Monde.
In this more recent case, the CRAN demands “a simple financial retribution and a little more recognition.” On the other hand, Slate Afrique points out that the French state has said it is not responsible under the law, which could lead to a fierce juridical battle.
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