BELGIUM ORDERED TO PAY FOR CONGO CHILD KIDNAPPINGS

In a landmark decision, Belgium’s court of appeal recently declared that the systematic kidnapping of mixed-race children from their African mothers in the Belgian-controlled territories of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi amounted to crimes against humanity. This pivotal case was filed by five women, now in their 70s, who were forcibly taken from their Congolese mothers between 1948 and 1953. The ruling is not just a victory for the plaintiffs, it is a rare acknowledgement of Belgium’s colonial crimes - and also sets a precedent for recognising other injustices, as well as reinforces the growing demand for reparations.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/02/belgium-found-guilty-of-crimes-against-humanity-in-colonial-congo

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/12/court-ruling-crimes-against-humanity-belgium-colonial-africa-hailed-turning-point