A new publication to rediscover the relevance of a legacy

The biography René Cassin, the Force of Law, written by Emmanuel Decaux, offers an accessible yet rigorous synthesis of the life journey of a major figure in human rights and the rule of law. Published in the “Destins” collection (Calype), the book places into perspective the coherence of a path shaped by the tragedies of the twentieth century and guided by a single constant demand: to make law a concrete form of protection against arbitrariness.

A book to understand René Cassin beyond the symbol

A professor of law whose life path was profoundly disrupted by the Great War and later by the defeat of 1940, René Cassin committed himself at a very early stage to the idea of “peace through law” and joined London as early as June 1940, becoming one of the first civilians to respond to General de Gaulle’s call. Within Free France, he played a central role as a jurist and institutional architect, firmly committed to the legitimacy and legality of Fighting France.

The book also revisits his responsibilities at the highest levels of the State and of international institutions: Vice-President of the Conseil d’État (1944–1960), a key contributor to United Nations work on human rights, and later President of the European Court of Human Rights, culminating in the ultimate recognition of his commitment with the Nobel Peace Prize (1968).

A publication set within a time of commemoration

This publication is part of a broader dynamic of transmission: as the 50th anniversary of René Cassin’s passing approaches (1976–2026), it provides a clear reference point for (re)establishing the fundamentals—republican tradition, human dignity, the rule of law, and the role of institutions in the protection of human rights.

Bibliographical references

• Title : René Cassin, la force du droit

• Author: Emmanuel Decaux

• Editor: Calype — collection « Destins »

• Format : poche, 112 pages

• Publication date: 8 January 2026

• ISBN : 978-2-494178-29-8