Historic Ruling

Abstract

In a landmark decision, the Court of Appeal of Brussels has affirmed that the policy implemented by Belgian authorities during colonization to abduct and segregate Métis children constituted a crime against humanity and warrants reparations for the victims. This ruling, of profound symbolic and historical significance, sets a groundbreaking legal precedent for other victims of systemic violence and discrimination imposed by colonial powers, who may now feel empowered to seek reparations before Belgian or other European courts. The decision is particularly striking given that, at the time, crimes against humanity had not yet been criminalized in the Belgian Criminal Code. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeal recognized that such crimes were already established as independent offences under international law and could be relied upon to claim reparations.