Robert Badinter
- Born:
- March 30, 1928, Paris, France
- Died:
- February 9, 2024, Paris, France
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Professor, Politician, Author
Early Life and Education
- Robert Badinter was born into a Jewish family that emigrated to France from Bessarabia.
- During World War II, his father was deported and murdered in Sobibor extermination camp.
- He studied at the Sorbonne, earning degrees in law and literature.
- He also attended Columbia University in New York.
Career and Major Achievements
- Started his career as a lawyer, specializing in business law.
- Became a professor of law at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.
- Appointed Minister of Justice under President François Mitterrand in 1981.
- Spearheaded the successful abolition of the death penalty in France in 1981.
- Served as President of the Constitutional Council of France from 1986 to 1995.
- Elected as a Senator for the Hauts-de-Seine department in 1995.
- Remained a vocal advocate for human rights and justice throughout his career.
Notable Works
- Authored numerous books on law, justice, and history, including biographies of prominent figures.
- His advocacy against capital punishment was a central theme in his writings and speeches. The notion that for some, "robert badinter death be not proud," was a sentiment he actively fought for.
Legacy and Impact
Robert Badinter is remembered as a leading figure in the abolition of the death penalty in France and a champion of human rights. His work as a lawyer, professor, and politician had a profound impact on the French legal system and society.