Raji Sourani speaks at the French Bar Association during the memorial service for the prominent lawyer, human rights defender and friend of the Palestinian people, Michel Tubiana. The memorial ceremony was held by the League of Human Rights and the French Bar Association on Friday evening. It was attended by an elite group of lawyers, activists, intellectuals, politicians and friends of the late Michel.

Dear friends, colleagues and comrades of Michael Tobiana 

It is with a heavy heart that we are gathered here today to mourn and commemorate the death of Michel Tubiana, a the prominent French and international lawyer, the human rights defender known for his advocacy for rule of law, democracy, human rights , fjudtice and dignity of Man who stood as well for an alienable Palestinians’  people rights.  , the dreamer and the romantic revolutionary 

  Michael traveled cross the globe to lean and understand, and to have his feet on the ground to have more in-depth understanding, to be on the right side of history and with just right causes, he was all the way alliened with the suppressed and oppressed people, with their pain he was able to speak truth to power  

Michel Tubiana believed in universal justice, that why he contributed to Universal jurisdiction cases, and contributed to the drafting of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and was the friend, comrade, and stubborn and uncompromising defender of the Palestinian people and their cause.  Michel loved Gaza and its people; he visited it on many occasions and was fascinated by the City, the food and its people as well as Jerusalem, Nablus, Hebron, and all Palestine. , which he visited frequently after crises and war crimes of the Israeli belligerent  occupation against  the civilians 

Michel defended the Algerian Revolution and its fighters; he always stood by the side of the oppressed people.   

Michel was criticized many times in many Zionist and right-wing forums in France and Europe, but he never compromised or backed down. He paid a heavy price for his, positions without fright. And in speaking truth to power

Michel was a teacher, an inspiring leader and an idol to look up to.  We, Palestine, and all your friends here and cross the globe will always be loyal to your principles and beliefs.  We will carry on the path that you have always fought for, the path of justice, freedom, and human dignity.  May God rest your soul in peace my friend. 

Salamat from Gaza 

Yours ever,

Raji Sourani