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Charlie Hebdo and Charb’s Family Formally Request His Entry to the Panthéon

A presidential decree will determine the bid.

Overview

  • Charlie Hebdo published the request, co-signed by Charb’s parents and brother, in its Wednesday issue on the eve of Robert Badinter’s Panthéon ceremony.
  • The edition also reprints the 12 Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons to mark their 20th anniversary.
  • The family’s letter says honoring Charb would affirm France’s attachment to freedom of expression, antiracism, social justice and laïcité.
  • Editor Riss argues the proposal is about the values Charb embodied rather than bestowing a personal honor, noting he was a journalist killed for his opinions in 2015.
  • Under current practice, entries to the Panthéon are decided by the French president by decree, and while families can oppose such transfers, Charb’s relatives back the request.