Original Source: www.hrw.org
On December 2, the Brussels Court of Appeal delivered a poignant verdict, deeming the Belgian government guilty of crimes against humanity in Congo during its colonial reign. This ruling marks a watershed moment in the reparations movement, spearheaded by five courageous women of mixed African and Belgian heritage: Marie-Josée Loshi, Noëlle Verbeken, Léa Tavares Mujinga, Simone Ngalula, and Monique Bintu Bingi. Their ages now in the 70s, these women were forcibly taken as children from their families, a haunting legacy of a brutal colonial past that systematically marginalized those of mixed descent.
Emerging from the shadows of their traumatic childhoods, they sued the government, confronting a history steeped in exploitation and erasure. The court’s findings illuminated a dark chapter of racial segregation and persecution that deprived Métis children of their identities and familial ties—a betrayal that lingered long after colonization ended. A collective cry for justice echoed through decades of silence, culminating in a declaration that acknowledges the inhumanity of past policies.
In 2019, Belgium’s then-Prime Minister Charles Michel issued an official apology, yet it felt like a half-hearted acknowledgment when the federal parliament adopted the “Métis Resolution,” recognizing the targeted violence against children of mixed descent but stopping short of demanding full reparations. Undeterred, the women took their struggle to court in 2020, challenging the Belgian government’s claims of innocence regarding its colonial crimes and racial edicts, rooted in the fragile foundation of historical legality rather than morality.
Last November, as remnants of colonial guilt were sparred in intellectual debate, organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International convened to discuss reparations at a workshop commemorating the colonial era’s division of Africa among European powers. The voices of the past resonated powerfully, as those affected by the Métis policies shared their poignant stories, urging Belgium and the world to remember its colonial scars with integrity and reflection.
The ruling embodies a collective awakening, highlighting the urgent need for countries like Belgium to reckon with their colonial legacies. It amplifies the call for recognition of the profound impacts of historical injustices on present generations, advocating for complete reparations that honor the dignity of survivors and descendants. The stage is set for a historic dialogue, one that remembers the past while forging a path toward true justice.
This article explores the landmark ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal, which held the Belgian government accountable for its colonial abuses in Congo, particularly against mixed-race or Métis children. The case centers on the testimonies of five women who were victims of forced abduction and racial persecution during Belgium’s colonial rule, an era known for its egregious human rights violations. The ruling emphasizes the broader reparations movement, reflecting growing recognition of historical injustices and their impacts, as well as the importance of addressing colonial legacies for a path toward accountability and healing.
The Brussels ruling is a significant milestone that resonates deeply within the reparations movement, serving as an urgent reminder of the need for accountability from nations historically complicit in colonial oppression. It shines a light on the lingering wounds of the past, urging nations to acknowledge the profound harm inflicted on marginalized communities. This ruling not only paves the way for reparations but also calls for a cultural reckoning—inviting conversations and actions that honor the stories of those silenced for too long.
