Belgian Court Rules on Colonial Abductions

Belgium's Court of Appeals has ruled that the government must pay compensation to five mixed-race women who were forcibly abducted from their families during the colonial era in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The court recognized these actions as crimes against humanity, overturning a previous ruling that cited statutes of limitations. The women, taken from their mothers at young ages and placed in orphanages, suffered significant emotional and identity damage due to this systemic policy targeting children of mixed descent. Each woman will receive €50,000 in compensation. This landmark decision highlights Belgium's historical injustices during its colonial rule, particularly for the estimated 20,000 children affected by similar policies. The ruling is celebrated as unprecedented accountability for colonial-era abuses, with advocates emphasizing the need for recognition and reparations.