The Council of Europe learned with great sadness the passing away of Mr Robert Badinter on 9 February 2024. The Ministers’ Deputies paid tribute to Mr Badinter during their meeting on 14 February 2024 . A book of condolences has also been opened at the Council of Europe.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe said that she is “deeply saddened by the passing of Robert Badinter, a true defender of human rights whose fight to abolish the death penalty resonates globally”. She said that “his legacy will continue to inspire generations”. The Council of Europe will contribute to carrying on his fight for the universal abolition of the death penalty, in line with the Heads of State and Government declaration in May 2023 in Reykjavik.
Mr Badinter is amongst other things recognized for his struggle in favor of the abolition of the death penalty as a lawyer and as a Minister of Justice of France. The abolition of the death penalty in France in 1981 had opened the way to the protocol n°6 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human rights and fundamental Freedoms adopted in 1983 and provided for the abolition of the death penalty in peacetime. He then obtained its ratification in France in 1986, a protection against a potential reinstatement. He was then very involved in the fight in favor of the abolition globally. He came to the Council of Europe several times, first as Minister for Justice, but also on various occasions such as the first World Congress against the Death penalty which took place in Strasbourg on 21-23 June 2001 or on the occasion of the second European Day against the death penalty on 10 October 2008.
He also worked on other substantial steps regarding human rights and achieved significant progress from the point of view of the Council of Europe. For example, as Minister for Justice, he authorized the recognition by France of the right of individual petition before the European Court of Human Rights in 1981, he obtained from the Parliament the decriminalization of homosexuality, and took measures to improve conditions of detention. In addition, he worked a lot on strengthening the Rule of Law, including as President of the Constitutional Council in France, and fought against antisemitism.
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