07.10.2009

Jean Léon Jaurès (full name Auguste Marie Joseph Jean Léon Jaurès; 3 September 1859 – 31 July 1914) was a well-known French Socialist leader and Armenophil. Initially an Opportunist Republican, he evolved into one of the first social democrats, becoming the leader of the French Socialist Party in 1902.

In 1885 he was elected as a member of the French Parliament from Castres. During 1880s in the beginning of his political career he cooperated with the Republicans.

In 1904 with his efforts the “L’Humanite՛” was established.

For many times in his articles and public speeches Jean Jaurès severely criticized the suppressions and massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. In his November 3, 1896, February 22, March 15, 1897 speeches in the French parliament, he appeared with the condemnation of the Armenian massacres and the indifference of the Europe, particularly France towards the Armenian issue. In one of his speeches Jean Jaurès particularly mentioned: “What a perfect silence in the newspapers and a well known to me political party directly or indirectly has paid for this silence, which was also sponsored by the investors of the Ottoman Empire… No any scream appeared from your mouths and no single word from your thoughts towards this bloodbath, destruction and barbarities… You are silent witnesses, therefore absolutely convicted in these massacres…”

Jean Jaurès referred to the Armenian massacres during his speech in Paris in 15 February, 1903. He also criticized 1909Armenian massacres in Adana.

For long years Jean Jaurès was a member of the editorial committee of “Pro Armenia” biweekly.
Jean Juarez was assassinated by Raul Vilene July 31, 1914 in Paris.
He was buried in Paris Pantheon.


The Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute issued a special postcard dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Jean Jaures, well-known French politician and Armenophil.