'Now I can die in peace'
Published: 05:12 PM,Dec 17,2024 | EDITED : 09:12 PM,Dec 17,2024
Gilles Duvere
'Now I can die in peace,' declared the late French lawyer Gilles Duvere after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Galant, former Israeli Defence Minister, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
For Duvere, this was a moment of triumph, a day he considered a 'holiday' after years of tireless effort to hold the two figures accountable. The ICC's landmark decision was announced on November 21, 2024, just five days before Duvere's passing. A staunch advocate for human rights, Duvere dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, with the Palestinian issue at the forefront of his mission.
Even in the final days of his life, weakened by illness, Duvere remained resolute. Speaking to the media, including Al Jazeera, he hailed this legal milestone as a victory for justice. His unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause made him a prominent voice in international courts and a steadfast defender of Palestinian rights.
While Arab nations often proclaim their commitment to the Palestinian cause, it was Duvere, a French lawyer, who first brought the issue to the ICC in 2009. He launched a legal campaign to secure international recognition for the State of Palestine, achieving a significant breakthrough in February 2021, when the ICC ruled that Palestine is a sovereign state with legal jurisdiction over the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Driven by his belief in the justice of the Palestinian struggle, Duvere led a coalition of 350 non-governmental organisations and 40 lawyers who submitted a formal request for justice to the ICC on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. This effort focused on addressing war crimes committed during the Gaza War of 2008-2009.
Duvere's dedication never wavered. In 2014, during Israel's 51-day assault on Gaza, he filed a complaint against Israel over its extensive airstrikes, which numbered more than 60,000. This legal action sparked global media attention and intensified pressure on the ICC. It ultimately contributed to Palestine's accession to the Rome Statute in 2021, a key step toward establishing jurisdiction over Israeli war crimes. This accession later enabled the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant.
Despite working on this case for over a decade, Duvere redoubled his efforts after the events of October 7, 2023, when new atrocities were committed against Palestinians. Within a month of the conflict, Duvere mobilised a coalition of human rights groups and over 500 lawyers from across the globe to bring fresh lawsuits before the ICC. In November 2023, he filed multiple cases against Israeli officials, accusing them of crimes against civilians.
What motivated Gilles Duvere to dedicate his life to the Palestinian cause, even as some Arabs distanced themselves from it? His profound sense of humanity. Duvere believed that standing with the Palestinian people was a moral obligation requiring courage and integrity. This belief resonated with countless individuals worldwide, turning the Palestinian keffiyeh into a symbol of freedom and Gaza into an emblem of resistance.
Duvere’s commitment to humanity was evident throughout his career. Beginning as a nurse, he later pursued law and became a lecturer at the University of Lyon 3. He edited the journal Law: Ethics and Care, authored several legal publications, and actively engaged in issues related to healthcare, social justice, and international law — particularly those concerning Palestine. His advocacy extended beyond Palestine; as a Christian, he represented Islamic organisations in cases of racial discrimination and Islamophobia, including the Grand Mosque of Lyon, which faced baseless accusations from the US Department of Defense.
Though Gilles Duvere did not live to see Netanyahu or Galant arrested, he passed away with the satisfaction that his efforts had brought justice closer. His persistence, even in the face of countless setbacks, inspired his colleagues. Algerian lawyer Abdel Majid Merari, one of Duvere’s closest collaborators, described him as the “dynamo” of their legal team, praising his relentless pursuit of evidence and coordination despite his declining health.
Duvere’s legacy exemplifies the enduring impact of courage and principle. As a tireless advocate for oppressed peoples, particularly Palestinians, he left behind a legacy of struggle and justice. His achievements remind the world of the power of perseverance and moral conviction. As he once said, 'The absence of water, food, medical care, and electricity, combined with the forced transfer of populations and dehumanising rhetoric, constitutes the very definition of genocide.'
In his final moments, even as he faced a life-threatening operation, Duvere’s focus remained on the Palestinian cause, discussing the plight of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
As French philosopher Paul Valéry observed, 'A great man leaves others in confusion after his death.' Gilles Duvere's legacy raises a vital question: Who is the real “human”? Is it the one who defends the oppressed, transcending differences in religion and belief, or the hypocrite who prioritises trivial matters over the lives and rights of the innocent? Duvere’s life and work stand as a powerful testament to humanity’s highest ideals.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of this article was published in Oman Arabic newspaper on December 16, 2024.
For Duvere, this was a moment of triumph, a day he considered a 'holiday' after years of tireless effort to hold the two figures accountable. The ICC's landmark decision was announced on November 21, 2024, just five days before Duvere's passing. A staunch advocate for human rights, Duvere dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, with the Palestinian issue at the forefront of his mission.
Even in the final days of his life, weakened by illness, Duvere remained resolute. Speaking to the media, including Al Jazeera, he hailed this legal milestone as a victory for justice. His unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause made him a prominent voice in international courts and a steadfast defender of Palestinian rights.
While Arab nations often proclaim their commitment to the Palestinian cause, it was Duvere, a French lawyer, who first brought the issue to the ICC in 2009. He launched a legal campaign to secure international recognition for the State of Palestine, achieving a significant breakthrough in February 2021, when the ICC ruled that Palestine is a sovereign state with legal jurisdiction over the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Driven by his belief in the justice of the Palestinian struggle, Duvere led a coalition of 350 non-governmental organisations and 40 lawyers who submitted a formal request for justice to the ICC on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. This effort focused on addressing war crimes committed during the Gaza War of 2008-2009.
Duvere's dedication never wavered. In 2014, during Israel's 51-day assault on Gaza, he filed a complaint against Israel over its extensive airstrikes, which numbered more than 60,000. This legal action sparked global media attention and intensified pressure on the ICC. It ultimately contributed to Palestine's accession to the Rome Statute in 2021, a key step toward establishing jurisdiction over Israeli war crimes. This accession later enabled the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant.
Despite working on this case for over a decade, Duvere redoubled his efforts after the events of October 7, 2023, when new atrocities were committed against Palestinians. Within a month of the conflict, Duvere mobilised a coalition of human rights groups and over 500 lawyers from across the globe to bring fresh lawsuits before the ICC. In November 2023, he filed multiple cases against Israeli officials, accusing them of crimes against civilians.
What motivated Gilles Duvere to dedicate his life to the Palestinian cause, even as some Arabs distanced themselves from it? His profound sense of humanity. Duvere believed that standing with the Palestinian people was a moral obligation requiring courage and integrity. This belief resonated with countless individuals worldwide, turning the Palestinian keffiyeh into a symbol of freedom and Gaza into an emblem of resistance.
Duvere’s commitment to humanity was evident throughout his career. Beginning as a nurse, he later pursued law and became a lecturer at the University of Lyon 3. He edited the journal Law: Ethics and Care, authored several legal publications, and actively engaged in issues related to healthcare, social justice, and international law — particularly those concerning Palestine. His advocacy extended beyond Palestine; as a Christian, he represented Islamic organisations in cases of racial discrimination and Islamophobia, including the Grand Mosque of Lyon, which faced baseless accusations from the US Department of Defense.
Though Gilles Duvere did not live to see Netanyahu or Galant arrested, he passed away with the satisfaction that his efforts had brought justice closer. His persistence, even in the face of countless setbacks, inspired his colleagues. Algerian lawyer Abdel Majid Merari, one of Duvere’s closest collaborators, described him as the “dynamo” of their legal team, praising his relentless pursuit of evidence and coordination despite his declining health.
Duvere’s legacy exemplifies the enduring impact of courage and principle. As a tireless advocate for oppressed peoples, particularly Palestinians, he left behind a legacy of struggle and justice. His achievements remind the world of the power of perseverance and moral conviction. As he once said, 'The absence of water, food, medical care, and electricity, combined with the forced transfer of populations and dehumanising rhetoric, constitutes the very definition of genocide.'
In his final moments, even as he faced a life-threatening operation, Duvere’s focus remained on the Palestinian cause, discussing the plight of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
As French philosopher Paul Valéry observed, 'A great man leaves others in confusion after his death.' Gilles Duvere's legacy raises a vital question: Who is the real “human”? Is it the one who defends the oppressed, transcending differences in religion and belief, or the hypocrite who prioritises trivial matters over the lives and rights of the innocent? Duvere’s life and work stand as a powerful testament to humanity’s highest ideals.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of this article was published in Oman Arabic newspaper on December 16, 2024.