France Passes Law to Compensate the “Children of La Réunion”

Paris – 17.06.2026: The French Parliament has passed a law regulating the compensation of the so-called “Children of La Réunion.” These are children who were relocated from the island of La Réunion to mainland France between 1962 and 1984 under a state-organized resettlement policy. These relocations had profound effects on the lives of the affected families and are considered a historical injustice today.

Member of Parliament Karine Lebon (GDR) presented the legislative initiative and emphasized that it was about recognizing the state’s responsibility and keeping the memory of these events alive. She stressed that although the law cannot return the lost childhoods, it still represents an important step for the victims and the collective memory.

The law officially introduces for the first time the designation “transplanted minors from La Réunion” to emphasize the national dimension of the resettlement policy. A key component is a newly established fund from which financial compensation will be paid to those affected. The specific modalities of compensation will be developed over the coming months.

Furthermore, the law provides for the establishment of a commission for remembrance. This commission is to accompany the implementation of the recommendations from a previous report by the temporary information and research commission on the resettlement of children from La Réunion. Its duties include organizing a national commemorative event on February 18 and creating a place of remembrance in the Département Creuse, one of the affected regions.

The legislative initiative received cross-party support. Karine Lebon described the passage as a “historic” moment for the recognition of the victims and the processing of these dark chapters of French history. She emphasized that it is not only about reparations but about restoring what is possible and promoting remembrance.

With the passage of this law, a significant step is taken to acknowledge the injustices suffered and provide the affected with redress. The work of the commission for remembrance is also intended to help raise public awareness of this history and make the experiences of those affected visible.

The implementation of the law is being closely monitored by the public as it can make a decisive contribution to reconciliation. It remains to be seen how the compensation regulations will be executed and what social as well as political consequences will result.

Overall, the new law marks a far-reaching step in addressing French history and recognizing the rights of the so-called “Children of La Réunion.”