By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 20: Robert Batinder, the former French justice minister who abolished the death penalty in 1981 and known for his unwavering advocacy for Tibet and his close friendship with the Dalai Lama has passed away at the age of 95 on February 9.
The octogenarian leader on February 11 penned a letter to Elisabeth Batinnder, the wife of Robert Batinder, expressing his heartfelt condolences. In the letter, he wrote, “I am sorry to learn that your husband, Robert Batinder has passed away. I offer prayers for him and my condolence to you and your family at this sad time.”
“As you will be aware, we knew each other for a long time, and I considered him a friend. I would like you to know how much I admired him for being behind the abolishment of the death penalty in France in 1981 while he was the Justice Minister, as well as the way he dedicated his life to the service of others,” the Dalai Lama wrote.
Batinder’s involvement with Tibet and its cause began in the late 1980s when he encountered the exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, during their joint appearance on an edition of the Antenna 2 talk show Apostrophes that focused on human rights. Witnessing the challenges faced by the Tibetan people under Chinese rule, Batinder emphasised the concept of “cultural genocide” in discussions concerning the erosion of Tibetan culture in Tibet. He lauded the nonviolent resistance demonstrated by Tibetans. Batinder maintained regular meetings with the Dalai Lama, notably in 1998, where he hailed him as the “Champion of Human Rights,” and again in 2008. Throughout the years, he tirelessly campaigned for Tibet’s autonomy and religious freedom, often challenging the Chinese government’s policies through legal avenues.
In 2000, Robert Badinter and his wife, Elisabeth Badinter, both signed an appeal launched by a French Tibet Support Group urging for a visit by a delegation from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to the Panchen Lama Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and his family, who have been missing since 1995.
In addition to his advocacy for Tibet, Badinter is perhaps best known for his pivotal role in abolishing the death penalty in France. As Minister of Justice in the 1980s, he led the campaign to end capital punishment, arguing that it was incompatible with the principles of human dignity and the rule of law. His efforts culminated in the passage of legislation in 1981 that abolished the death penalty in France, marking a historic victory for human rights and justice.
During the memorial ceremony held on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called Batinder the “moral conscience” of the nation amidst widespread national mourning for the lawyer who ardently campaigned for the abolition of capital punishment in France.
