Land reform could atone for slavery

LAND on France's Caribbean overseas territories could be redistributed to the descendants of slaves in an attempt to make amends for the country's colonial-era slave trade.

Justice minister Christine Taubira said in an interview for the Journal du Dimanche that she has supported the idea of reforms to remedy the "land grab" that left many descendants of slaves without access to land.

"There are steps that should be taken, without expropriations," she said.

French racism watchdog CRAN welcomed Taubira's announcement. The group is planning to sue the French bank, Caisse des Dépôts, claiming it profited from slavery.

Her interview comes several days after President Hollande said France would not pay reparations for slavery.

She told the paper that she did not want to get involved in the debate on financial compensation and considered land reform to be a more fair approach.