A Brussels appeals court has ruled that Belgium committed a crime against humanity in a pivotal case involving five mixed-race women in Congo, who were separated from their Black mothers at infancy. This landmark decision marks a significant acknowledgment of the abuses during Belgian colonial rule in Africa. For over six years, these women fought to highlight the plight faced by thousands of "métis" children, who were forcibly removed from their families by Belgian authorities and placed in religious institutions between 1908 and 1960.
The women initially faced a setback in 2021 when a lower court dismissed their claims, arguing the actions were not part of a systematic policy. However, the appeals court overturned this decision, ordering Belgium to pay 50,000 euros to each plaintiff. Monique Fernandes, representing her mother Monique Bintu Bingi, said the closure is important, stating, "She finally has it recognized as a crime against humanity." The financial award is intended to cover legal costs, rejecting the notion of a symbolic compensation, which was seen as insufficient for the trauma endured.
The case is part of broader efforts to reassess Belgium's colonial history, spurred by movements addressing racial injustice globally. The lawsuit, filed amid demands for accountability regarding Belgium's past in Africa, underscores ongoing reflections on the legacy of figures like King Leopold II, whose statues have been targeted amidst protests. In 2019, Belgium's government issued an apology for its role in taking children from African families, reflecting a gradual shift in confronting its colonial past. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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