Olivier Dupuis

Olivier Dupuis

« I am certain we will meet again on the new path, the path of love and hope. »

19 September – Rome

Dear friends,

we are organising an event in Italy, in Rome, to remember Olivier.

For those who are able and wish to come, take part and perhaps speak, the event will take place on Saturday 19 September, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, in the ‘Europa Experience – David Sassoli’ Hall at the EU institutions (Piazza Venezia 6).

More information will be provided at the end of August/beginning of September, but in the meantime, if you'd like, you can already start making arrangements.

Thank you!

Olivier Dupuis — photographs by Lorenzo Ceva Valla
© Lorenzo Ceva Valla

Born in Ath, Belgium, Olivier Dupuis studied Political and Social Sciences at the University of Louvain and joined the Radical Party in 1981. He became Secretary General of the Transnational Radical Party (1995–2003) and served as a Member of the European Parliament (1996–2004).

Throughout his life he fought — often at great personal risk — for democracy and human rights across Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Asia. As Julos Beaucarne said of him: "Olivier Dupuis is one of those salmon men swimming against the tide of conventional ideas."

«Le funambule, cheveux au vent, danse sur son fil…»

— Aude Merlin, 4 May 2026

"I am certain we will meet again on the new path,
the path of love and hope."

— Olivier Dupuis, last message

Tributes

Letters

Letter from the Dalai Lama to Olivier, 4 May 2026
The Dalai Lama — to Olivier, 4 May 2026 EN
Letter from Penpa Tsering to Olivier, 30 April 2026
Penpa Tsering, Sikyong — to Olivier, 30 April 2026 EN
Letter from the Dalai Lama to the family, 5 May 2026
The Dalai Lama — to the family, 5 May 2026 EN
Letter from Penpa Tsering to Aude Merlin, 5 May 2026
Penpa Tsering, Sikyong — to Aude Merlin, 5 May 2026 EN
Associazione Italia-Tibet — Claudio Cardelli ↗ IT Associazione delle Donne Tibetane in Italia — Kalsang Dechen ↗ IT Comunità Tibetana in Italia — Tsering Namgyal ↗ IT

Messages

«Olivier est un homme d'honneur et de principes. Merci pour tout.»

Moncef Marzoukiformer President of Tunisia

"It was a real privilege to know you and share the values you fought tirelessly for. Always on the side of those who need help the most."

Tonino PiculaMEP, Croatia

"You will leave a tremendous imprint on the world you leave behind, especially among the many people you helped, directly or indirectly."

Michael Van Walt Van Praagformer leader, UNPO

«Le monde perd un défenseur des droits de l'homme exceptionnel, un militant hors du commun en faveur de la liberté des peuples opprimés.»

Vanida Sananikone ThephsouvanhMouvement Lao pour les Droits de l'Homme

«Avec Olivier Dupuis disparaît un vrai radical, un vrai Européen. Il a incarné une politique transnationale capable de dépasser les frontières nationales.»

Sandro GoziMEP

"Your work reminds us that Tibet is not forgotten and that gives us strength."

Penpa TseringSikyong, Central Tibetan Administration

Press

The following press articles are in Italian.

Adriano Sofri in Il Foglio, 1 May 2026

Il Foglio — Adriano Sofri IT

1 May 2026

«Persone coraggiose come te sono rare. Tu di galere ne avevi di più pittoresche — in Belgio da disertore, a Praga da dissidente, a Dubrovnik da militante…»

Il Riformista — Marco Cappato IT

7 May 2026

«Olivier Dupuis ha nutrito quella speranza fino alla fine dei suoi giorni, consegnandola a chi vorrà e saprà esserne all'altezza.»
Read article ↗

Huffington Post — Sofia Ventura IT

5 May 2026

«Aveva capito tutto, sin dall'inizio. Olivier Dupuis resta un esempio vivo nella coscienza. Bon voyage, Olivier.»
Read article ↗

L'Unità — Igor Boni & Silvja Manzi IT

9 May 2026

«Il funambolo che danzava sul filo tra l'Europa e il mondo. Cher Olivier, continuons le combat ensemble!»
Read article ↗

nonmollare — Niccolò Rinaldi IT

18 May 2026

«Ha vissuto e testimoniato come pochi, guardandole negli occhi le brutte cose di questo mondo, con la postura dell'uomo libero.»
Read article ↗
Full press review ↗ IT News agencies ↗ IT

His work

Affirmation of Conscience

Brussels, 5 December 1985

Before the Military Court of Brussels, Olivier Dupuis explained why he had refused both military and civilian service — not as conscientious objection, but as an affirmation of conscience: a European political act. Altiero Spinelli read the text and wrote to him. He was sentenced to two years' detention.

Download text ↓ IT

L'Européen

2010 – 2025

The newspaper founded by Olivier Dupuis: years of reflection and commitment on Europe, democracy, Ukraine and human rights. The complete archive is preserved and available online.

Visit the archive ↗ FR

Multimedia