Jacques Verges Quotes

A collection of quotes by Jacques Verges.

Jacques Vergès was a French lawyer born on March 5, 1925, in Thailand and died on August 15, 2013, in Paris, France. He gained global recognition for his highly controversial and unconventional legal career.

Vergès came from a privileged background and studied law in France, participating in the French Resistance during World War II. He began practicing law in the early 1950s and later established a reputation for defending clients involved in high-profile political cases.

Notably, Jacques Vergès became internationally known for defending individuals accused of terrorism and crimes against humanity. Some of his most prominent clients included Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, Palestinian militant Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (also known as Carlos the Jackal), and Cambodian dictator Pol Pot’s second-in-command, Khieu Samphan.

Throughout his career, Vergès often used unconventional tactics, including challenging the legitimacy of international courts and advocating for cultural relativism in legal proceedings. He believed in challenging the prevailing narratives and questioning the established norms.

Jacques Vergès was a highly controversial figure, both admired and criticized for his choice of clients and his unorthodox methods. He was known for his provocative style, with a bold personality that stirred debate and often overshadowed his clients' trials. His unique approach to defending individuals accused of heinous crimes made him a polarizing figure in the legal world.