Occupied planets and slaves

[Project X Mark 1]

I am playing on 1.5.0 with Utopia expansion, as an empire which prohibits slavery, and am at war with an empire which allows it. The first planet I occupy is populated entirely by slaves of one species, but I cannot free them.

This is a nuisance, because I am getting 180 unrest on the occupied planet from unhappy slaves, which would tie down a lot of my army to keep them calm.

The default rights for my empire (which the species is set to) say they are not enslaved, and I control the planet, so why can I not give them their freedom? Is there a way around this if I cannot emancipate them? Should I just leave them to revolt?

 

[Tatterhood]

They'll be freed if you actually win the war and take that planet.

Unhappy slaves produce less unrest than unhappy free pops, so it's probably working in your favour right now.

 

[Project X Mark 1]

Huh, that's good to know, would it be advisable to leave a defensive army there?

 

[Tatterhood]

I actually have no idea how unrest works with occupied planets during wars. Leaving some armies there will definitely help, but if those armies could be used to just win you the war quicker, that might be better.