Ubon Ratchathani served as the birthplace for Jacques Vergès on 5 March 1925, before his upbringing on the island of Réunion. A lawyer, writer, and political activist, he gained recognition for a legal career that spanned decades and continents, eventually leading to his death in the 7th arrondissement of Paris on 15 August 2013.
Military Service and Political Foundations
During World War II, Vergès joined the Free French Forces under Charles de Gaulle in 1942, traveling to Liverpool to participate in the anti-Nazi resistance. His military service included actions across Italy, France, and Germany. Following the war, he entered the University of Paris and joined the French Communist Party in 1945. He served as president from 1950 to 1952, a period marked by his attendance at the University of Paris and the acquisition of the Certificat d'Aptitude à la Profession d'Avocat.
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Vergès gained notoriety for his specific courtroom methodology termed rupture defense, which he detailed in his publication De la stratégie judiciaire. This approach involved challenging the legitimacy of the prosecution and turning trials into political forums. His client list included high-profile defendants accused of terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, such as Klaus Barbie in 1987, Carlos the Jackal in 1994, and Khieu Samphan in 2008. He also provided legal counsel to Roger Garaudy and members of the Baader-Meinhof gang.
The Disappearance and Later Life
Between 24 February 1970 and 1978, Vergès exited public life entirely, with his whereabouts remaining unexplained despite significant media speculation. Following his reappearance, he continued his work as a jurist and author, publishing his autobiography titled The Brilliant Bastard. His professional life remained characterized by active opposition to global political developments, including the war on terror. Upon his death in 2013, he was interred at Montparnasse Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 March 1925, Ubon Ratchathani
- Died: 15 August 2013, Paris
- Citizenship: France; Algeria
- Primary Occupations: Lawyer; jurist; writer; political activist
- Military: Free French Forces
- Academic Qualification: Certificat d'Aptitude à la Profession d'Avocat
- Burial Site: Montparnasse Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the rupture defense?
It was a legal strategy promoted by Vergès in his book, De la stratégie judiciaire, where a lawyer challenges the authority of the court and the moral standing of the prosecution.
Did Jacques Vergès ever explain his disappearance?
No, he remained silent regarding his location and activities between 1970 and 1978, famously remarking on the irony of not being tracked in a modern police state.
Achievements
- president (1950–1952)
- Educated at University of Paris and Lycée Leconte-de-Lisle
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