Robert Badinter, Architect of the Death Penalty Abolition in France, Dies at 95

Badinter's legacy as a champion for human rights and justice leaves an indelible mark on French society and law.

Robert Badinter, former French justice minister and a key figure in the abolition of the death penalty in France, has passed away at the age of 95.
Badinter's legacy includes a lifelong commitment to human rights, the defense of civil liberties, and the application of the Republic's founding human rights texts to all citizens.
His personal and professional journey was deeply influenced by his family's history, including the persecution of Jews under the Vichy regime and his father's deportation.
Throughout his career, Badinter fought for the abolition of the death penalty, a cause deeply personal to him, and succeeded in having it abolished in France in 1981.
Badinter's contributions extended beyond the abolition of the death penalty, including reforms to improve prison conditions and the rights of individuals.