Baku Conference Addresses Reparations and the Legacy of Belgian Colonialism
World
Baku hosted the international conference “The Injustice of Belgian Colonialism and 101 Years of Struggle for Reparations,” organized by the Baku Initiative Group. Officials and experts from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Morocco and South Africa, as well as representatives of the United Nations, discussed historical responsibility, reparations and the legacy of colonial rule.
A central issue was the promotion within international institutions, including the UN Human Rights Council, of demands for an official Belgian apology and compensation for the peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Participants also discussed the creation of an international mechanism to monitor compliance with obligations on reparations and restitution.
The conference addressed calls for full and unrestricted access to Belgian colonial archives, the participation of experts from former colonial territories alongside international specialists, and the return of human remains and historical materials to their countries of origin.
Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, said financial compensation could not bring back those who died as a result of colonial policies, but argued that reparations should address the continuing consequences of colonialism.
“Reparations should not be limited to financial compensation for the suffering and deprivation experienced in the past. They should also contribute to eliminating the lasting legacy of colonialism and the problems that remain as a result of colonial policies,” he said.
Paul Nsapu Mukulu, President of the National Human Rights Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressed the need for full access to colonial archives. He noted that a law establishing the status of Ruanda-Urundi under Belgian administration was adopted on August 21, 1925.
Esther Kile, Assistant for Youth Programmes at the National Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for UNESCO, said the consequences of Belgian colonial policy continue to be visible in the country’s economic and social conditions.
A document is expected to be prepared following the conference. Abbasov said it could become one of the key outcomes of the meeting.
The conference addressed calls for full and unrestricted access to Belgian colonial archives, the participation of experts from former colonial territories alongside international specialists, and the return of human remains and historical materials to their countries of origin.
Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, said financial compensation could not bring back those who died as a result of colonial policies, but argued that reparations should address the continuing consequences of colonialism.
“Reparations should not be limited to financial compensation for the suffering and deprivation experienced in the past. They should also contribute to eliminating the lasting legacy of colonialism and the problems that remain as a result of colonial policies,” he said.
Paul Nsapu Mukulu, President of the National Human Rights Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressed the need for full access to colonial archives. He noted that a law establishing the status of Ruanda-Urundi under Belgian administration was adopted on August 21, 1925.
Esther Kile, Assistant for Youth Programmes at the National Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for UNESCO, said the consequences of Belgian colonial policy continue to be visible in the country’s economic and social conditions.
A document is expected to be prepared following the conference. Abbasov said it could become one of the key outcomes of the meeting.
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