Charlie Hebdo and Charb’s Family Advocate for Cartoonist’s Entry into the Panthéon

Charlie Hebdo and the family of the late cartoonist Charb have called for his posthumous inclusion in the Panthéon, France's revered national mausoleum, to honor his commitment to freedom of expression and republican values. Charb was tragically killed during the jihadist attack on Charlie Hebdo on January 7, 2015, an assault that claimed twelve lives including eight editorial staff members.

The current editor of Charlie Hebdo, Riss, emphasized that Charb "ticks all the boxes" for this honor, highlighting that he was "a journalist executed for his opinions by terrorists on national soil." Riss clarified the intent behind the request is not simply to reward Charb personally but to enshrine the values he championed—freedom of expression, democracy, secularism, anti-racism, and social justice—into the fabric of French national identity.

This proposal coincides with two significant anniversaries: the 20th anniversary of the publication of the controversial Muhammad cartoons by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which sparked violent protests, and the 10th anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack. These events are marked as pivotal moments in France’s recent history and the broader global conversation on free speech.

Charb’s family supports the initiative, viewing it as a necessary and unifying tribute that underscores the enduring importance of these core French values. The campaign for Charb’s panthéonisation aims to inspire reflection and commitment to the principles of democracy and expression that he embodied.