Robert Marie Alphonse Léopold Standaert was born in Heist-sur-Mer (West Flanders) the 29 janvier 1889 and died on 9 janvier 1975 in Watermael-Boitsfort (Brussels). He is the eldest son of doctor Léopold Standaert and Virginie Alphonsine Naert.
Robert Standaert graduated as a doctor in law at the University of Ghent 5 october 1912. He also made a license in administrative sciences at the same university, that he finished in October 1913.
The 12 janvier 1914, At twenty-five, He enters public security as a civil servant. Volunteer, He participated in the First World War as an artilleryman, and continues its ascent to public security on its return. The 15 november 1919, He becomes office deputy at the Ministry of Justice, the 30 november 1920, He is appointed head of office at the same ministry. Four years later, the 30 December 1924, He becomes a deputy director. It is then recommended by the administrator of public security in office at the time, René Beltjens, For the position of director of the 4th Direction of Public Security, post to which he accesses the 20 july 1931. After the reshuffle of the structure of the public security of March 1940 and the invasion of Belgium by Nazi Germany, Robert Standaert is appointed director of the police of foreigners at the end of 1940. This position is assured sometimes by Robert Standaert, sometimes by Robert DeFoy, until the latter became secretary general for justice in 1943. From this date, Robert Standaert only provides the position of police director of foreigners to 1948.
Robert Standaert has been awarded a large number of honorary distinctions: commemorative medal 1914-1918, Integrated medal, Fire cross. He is also a member of many orders : He is a knight then officer of the order of Léopold, Officer Public Instruction of the Academic Palms Order (French order) and officer of the Order of Saint-Maurice and Lazarus (order Italy).
Robert Standaert was a specialist in Belgian nationality and legislation supervising foreigners living in Belgium. He therefore wrote on the subject and is the author of Indigeniat in Belgium : commentary on the law of 15 may 1922, published in 1923, of Commentary on the Franco-Belgian Convention of 12 september 1928, published in 1930 and of Belgian nationality, published in 1934. It is still currently cited in certain legal works, especially in the Treaty of nationality in Belgian law by Charles-Louis Closset, published in 1993.
Sources:
- « Personnel. SONSERY CHANGES », Archives générales du Royaume, Ministère de la Justice, Public security administration (Police des étrangers), General files : deuxième versement, n°26.
- «ROBert Changes», Geneanet.
- Ghent University, Registers of the registrations on the role, 1907/1908-1912/1913.
- Rudi VAN DOORSLAER (dir.), La Belgique docile : les autorités belges et la persécution des Juifs en Belgique durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Brussels, Pire, 2007.
Eléonore Gomrée
Notice written as part of the Seminar on the History of the Contemporary Period of the Catholic University of Louvain (LHIST2280, teacher Emmanuel Debruyne).