Tomb of Former Justice Minister Badinter Vandalized Ahead of Ceremony

The tomb of former French justice minister Robert Badinter was vandalized with graffiti ahead of his induction into the Panthéon national monument on March 7, 2024. The defacement occurred at a cemetery in Bagneux, a suburb near Paris, just hours prior to the ceremony honoring his significant contributions to French law and society.

Badinter, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 95, was a prominent figure in the abolition of the death penalty in France and played a crucial role in various human rights advancements, including the decriminalization of homosexuality. His advocacy against antisemitism and Holocaust denial also marked his legacy, making the vandalism particularly poignant.

Gravestone Defaced with Anti-Death Penalty Messages

According to Bagneux mayor Marie-Hélène Amiable, the inscriptions found on Badinter’s tomb criticized his stances against capital punishment and in support of the decriminalization of homosexuality. She expressed her outrage, stating, “The inscriptions discovered by the police denounce his commitments against the death penalty and in favor of the decriminalization of homosexuality. They are unworthy of this former minister and senator, who carried the historic advances that made it possible to abolish the death penalty in France in 1981 and to decriminalize homosexuality in 1982.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who will preside over the ceremony at the Panthéon, responded to the act of vandalism through a message on social media platform X, declaring, “Shame on those who sought to tarnish his memory.” He emphasized Badinter’s importance to French history, stating, “This evening, he will enter the Panthéon, the eternal home of conscience and justice. The Republic is always stronger than hatred.”

A Legacy of Human Rights and Justice

Badinter’s legacy is marked by his tireless efforts to end capital punishment in France. As justice minister under President François Mitterrand, he faced considerable public opposition yet successfully garnered parliamentary support for the abolition of the death penalty. This legislative victory stemmed from his personal experiences, including witnessing the execution of a client by guillotine, which was still in use until the 1970s.

Born in Paris in 1928 to a Jewish family, Badinter experienced the harrowing realities of World War II, including the loss of his father in the Sobibor death camp. His experiences fueled a lifelong commitment to human rights. As a lawyer, he notably pursued legal action against a Holocaust denier, further solidifying his reputation as a moral leader.

Throughout his career, Badinter served as the president of France’s Constitutional Court and held a seat in the Senate for sixteen years. He is remembered not only for his legal achievements but also for his role as a moral compass in contemporary French society.

Located in the heart of Paris, the Panthéon monument is often referred to as the “temple of the great men and great women of the nation.” Robert Badinter will join a distinguished group of French luminaries, including philosopher Voltaire, scientist Marie Curie, and writer Victor Hugo, who have been honored at this iconic site.