A Belgian court has made history by ordering the government to pay reparations to five mixed-race women forcibly removed from their families during the colonial era in the Belgian Congo. This landmark ruling recognises the systematic abduction of biracial children as a crime against humanity, shedding light on one of the darkest chapters of Belgium’s colonial past.
The Story of the Plaintiffs
The women—Monique Bitu Bingi, Léa Tavares Mujinga, Noëlle Verbeken, Simone Ngalula, and Marie-Josée Loshi—are now in their 70s. They were born between 1948 and 1952 in Congo during Belgian colonial rule. These women were taken from their black mothers under a state policy targeting children born to black mothers and white fathers. Deemed a “threat to the white racial order,” the children were forcibly placed in Catholic Church-run orphanages where they faced mistreatment and loss of identity.
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This case is the first in Belgium to recognise such colonial-era actions as crimes against humanity. The Brussels Court of Appeal overturned a previous ruling, declaring that crimes of this nature cannot be constrained by a statute of limitations.
Justice at Last
In its ruling, the court stated:
“The Belgian State systematically abducted children born to black mothers and white fathers under a plan of racial segregation, depriving them of their connection to their families, roots, and identities. This constituted an inhumane act of persecution and a crime against humanity.”
The court ordered compensation for the moral damage suffered by the plaintiffs, acknowledging the lasting harm caused by their forced separation from their families and cultural heritage.
For Léa Tavares Mujinga, this decision is a bittersweet victory:
“It’s a very large part of our lives that was taken away. We’ll never get it back. But at least it’s a gesture of some relief.”
The Historical Context
Belgium’s colonial rule over Congo (1908–1960) is remembered as one of the harshest in Africa. During this period, approximately 20,000 mixed-race children were separated from their families and placed in orphanages. The Catholic Church, which managed many of these institutions, apologised in 2017, and the Belgian government followed with a formal apology in 2019. However, neither addressed reparations until now.
Belgium’s colonial policies systematically marginalised Métis children, who were denied Belgian nationality and excluded from both white and African communities. After Congo gained independence in 1960, these children were abandoned by the state, left to navigate life without familial or societal support.
A Pan-African Lens on Justice
This ruling is a significant step in the global reckoning with colonial injustices. By recognising the abduction of Métis children as a crime against humanity, it opens doors for further legal actions across Africa and Europe. It also underscores the urgent need for European nations to confront their colonial histories and provide reparations for the harm inflicted on African people and their descendants.
Jehosheba Bennett, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, described the ruling as a:
“Historic victory that acknowledges colonial facts as crimes against humanity.”
This moment resonates across Africa, where the fight for justice and reparations continues. It is not merely about financial compensation but about restoring dignity and acknowledging the enduring pain caused by colonial rule.
Lessons for the Future
This case highlights the importance of historical accountability. The recognition of these crimes serves as a reminder of the resilience of African communities and the need to preserve their stories. By addressing the wrongs of the past, nations like Belgium can take meaningful steps toward reconciliation and a more equitable future.
It’s not just about money,” said one plaintiff. “It’s about restoring our dignity and ensuring this history is not forgotten.
As the plaintiffs celebrate this milestone, their victory symbolises hope for countless others still awaiting justice. Their courage to demand recognition ensures that the world does not forget the atrocities of colonialism and inspires a collective commitment to righting historical wrongs.
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