ZAGREB UNIVERSITY HONORARY DOCTORATE ZAGREB, April 17 (Hina) - The French lawyer, scientist and politician, Robert Badinter, received in Zagreb on Thursday an honorary doctorate of Zagreb University for his contribution to legal
science, the protection of human rights, and help to the Croatian people and citizens in their struggle for their basic rights.
ZAGREB, April 17 (Hina) - The French lawyer, scientist and
politician, Robert Badinter, received in Zagreb on Thursday an
honorary doctorate of Zagreb University for his contribution to
legal science, the protection of human rights, and help to the
Croatian people and citizens in their struggle for their basic
rights. #L#
Badinter today met Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and will hold a
lecture at Zagreb University this evening.
A senator in the French Assembly, an opponent of capital
punishment, a former lawyer, university professor and chairman of
the European Community's Arbitration Commission, Badinter
expressed his thanks for the award. He said the Commission's
decision had been based on international law and that its authors
had not been governed by political considerations or national
interests.
Badinter said he recalled the decision with melancholy because it
meant the failure of peace in times which were very painful for
Croatia and the region.
Lawyers cannot think of other forms of confrontation but those
based on arguments, Badinter said, adding that conflicts had to be
resolved peacefully.
The European Union implored former Yugoslav countries to stop
resorting to violence, he said, adding the EU offered sizeable
funds for the improvement of citizens' living conditions and its
administrative, legal and financial resources and experience. He
added, however, that the desire for conquering, and nationalism and
hatred won over lucidity and reason.
Croatia still has not overcome all problems, but it is a sovereign
country which has a future in Europe, whose legal foundations
precede its sovereignty, Badinter said.
The European legal space for human rights is imposed on the
governments, parliaments and courts of European countries and that
system is more a result of the work of lawyers than politicians,
Badinter said, adding that this fundamental work of legal experts
was the least noticed form of building Europe.
The latest honorary doctor of Zagreb University was previously
welcomed by University Chancellor Jasna Helena Mencer, who thanked
him for all he had done for Croatia. He was especially praised for
his contribution to the abolishment of capital punishment in France
in 1982.
Badinter, born in 1928, is the 89th honorary doctor of Zagreb
University.
(hina) rml