{"id":7402,"date":"2026-04-10T21:55:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T19:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iidh.org\/speech-of-emmanuel-decaux-exhibition-rene-cassin-combattant-pour-la-paix-10-avril-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T21:55:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T19:55:02","slug":"speech-of-emmanuel-decaux-exhibition-rene-cassin-combattant-pour-la-paix-10-avril-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iidh.org\/en\/speech-of-emmanuel-decaux-exhibition-rene-cassin-combattant-pour-la-paix-10-avril-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Speech of Emmanuel Decaux – Exhibition \u201cRen\u00e9 Cassin, combattant pour la paix\u201d (10 avril 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 10 April 2026, the Biblioth\u00e8que Nationale et Universitaire of Strasbourg (BNU) hosted the opening ceremony of the exhibition \u201cRen\u00e9 Cassin, Fighter for Peace\u201d, marking its official opening to the general public. Organised in partnership with several institutions committed to the promotion of human rights, this event forms part of a broader effort to transmit and highlight the legacy of Ren\u00e9 Cassin, a major figure in international law and one of the principal drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. <\/p>\n

From the outset, the exhibition offers a sensitive and well-documented immersion into Ren\u00e9 Cassin\u2019s life and work. Structured around a chronological thread and divided into several thematic sections, it retraces the key stages of his life: from his engagement during the First World War to his decisive role in the legal and moral reconstruction of the post-war period. Manuscripts, previously unseen archives, correspondence, photographs and personal objects form a rich collection, allowing visitors to grasp both the intellectual journey and the deeply human commitment of this key figure of the twentieth century. <\/p>\n

The exhibition also highlights the diversity of the sources brought together, reflecting in-depth research and close collaboration between heritage and academic institutions. These include, in particular, the National Archives, the Conseil d\u2019\u00c9tat, the Museum of the Order of Liberation, as well as private collections and the holdings preserved at the BNU. This plurality of perspectives and documents contributes to offering a nuanced and vivid reading of Ren\u00e9 Cassin\u2019s work. <\/p>\n

The opening ceremony was marked by strong institutional and academic participation. The evening featured speeches by several leading figures, including Pap Ndiaye, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe; Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights; Nicolas Tocquer, Director of the BNU; and Mr Emmanuel Decaux, President of the Ren\u00e9 Cassin Foundation and curator of the exhibition. Through the diversity of their perspectives and the complementary nature of their remarks, they gave the evening a tone that was both solemn and lively, recalling the continuing relevance and universal scope of Ren\u00e9 Cassin\u2019s legacy. <\/p>\n

The Ren\u00e9 Cassin Foundation also wishes to express its sincere thanks to J\u00e9r\u00f4me Schweitzer, co-curator of the exhibition, for his decisive commitment to the design and implementation of this project. The exhibition also benefited from the valuable collaboration of Louis Frachon, student at the \u00c9cole nationale des chartes and intern at the BNU, as well as Morgane Chovet, Doctor of Law from the University of Strasbourg and assistant exhibition curator at the BNU, whose rigorous work and commitment greatly contributed to the scientific and editorial quality of the exhibition as a whole. <\/p>\n

To read Mr Emmanuel Decaux\u2019s full speech delivered during the ceremony, please find it alongside this article<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

To continue the visit and discover the work of our partners, you may also consult the websites of the European Court of Human Rights<\/a> and the Biblioth\u00e8que Nationale et Universitaire of Strasbourg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This exhibition would not have been possible without the support of:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Sponsors:<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n