In brief
The landmark decision marks a significant acknowledgment of historical injustices faced by mixed-race children during colonial rule in Congo.
In a historic ruling, a Brussels court declared on Monday that five mixed-race women, aged between 70 and 80, are entitled to reparations from Belgium due to crimes perpetrated under its colonial rule in the Belgian Congo. These women, who were the product of African mothers and European fathers, were forcibly removed from their families by Belgian authorities at an alarmingly young age, some as early as two. They were sent to religious schools administered by the Catholic Church, often located hundreds of miles away from their homes.The conditions the women endured were dire, marked by poverty, malnutrition, and physical abuse. Furthermore, their true identities were systematically obscured by the state’s policies, which spanned from the late 19th century to Congo’s independence in 1960. The court determined that Belgium's actions constituted inhumane treatment and persecution, qualifying it as a crime against humanity. Each of the women was awarded 50,000 euros, roughly $52,000, in reparations.The Brussels Court of Appeal emphasized the profound suffering experienced by the plaintiffs during and following their abduction, stating, “There is no doubt for the court that the appellants have experienced great suffering since, and as a result of, their kidnapping before the age of 7 by the state.”Between 1908 and 1960, Belgium ruled over parts of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. The regime enforced strict prohibitions against sexual relations between Europeans and Africans, leading to the systematic seizure of children from thousands of families who were then placed in Catholic institutions, either in Congo or a minority sent to Belgium.Monique Bitu Bingi, one of the claimants, expressed her relief at the ruling, describing it as a victory not just for herself and the other women, but for their Congolese mothers who suffered similarly. “I feel so relieved,” said the 75-year-old. “The Belgian government took my youth away, and it was something I had to fight for, to explain to the world what happened.” This moment marks a significant step toward recognizing and addressing the wrongs of Belgium’s colonial past.
