FRENCH HISTORICAL PORTRAITS

On 18 September 1981, by 363 votes to 117, the French National Assembly concluded two days of debate by approving the bill on abolition of the death penalty, presented on behalf of the Government by Robert Badinter, Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice and, today, ECPM Honorary President.

Twelve days later, the text was approved in the same terms by the Senate, by 160 votes to 126. On 10 October 1981, after two centuries of abolitionist struggle, the law was published in the Official Gazette, thus making France the 35th State to officially abolish capital punishment.

This victory is the result of the efforts of women and men with unshakeable convictions. ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty) pays tribute to emblematic figures in the abolitionist struggle, from the French Revolution to the present day.