The decree formally prohibited the import of African slaves to the Ottoman Empire.
However, the decree was introduced because of diplomatic pressure, was not enforced and remained nominal on paper only.
It also excluded the Hejaz Province, which was the main destination of the Red Sea slave trade.
[1] The Firman was issued in a time period when the Ottoman Empire was subjected to a growing diplomatic pressure from the West to suppress slave trade and slavery in the Ottoman Empire.
Abolitionist policy was also consistent with the modernization reform efforts of the Tanzimat era.