Michele Hirsch, one of the lawyers for the women, emphasized the significance of the ruling, stating, "This victory is a historic judgment. For the first time in Belgium and probably in Europe, a court has condemned the colonial state for crimes against humanity." This landmark decision is seen as a crucial step towards acknowledging and rectifying the injustices faced by mixed-race children during the colonial era.
Monique Bitu Bingi expressed her relief and the emotional impact of the ruling, saying, "I am relieved. The judges have recognised that this was a crime against humanity. We jumped for joy together when we received the news. This validation has immense significance for us and our families.
Noelle Verbeken highlighted the broader implications of the ruling, stating, "This decision says that we have a certain value in the world. We are recognised. It is important for us to have our experiences acknowledged and for history to remember what happened to us as children.
The court's decision affirmatively categorized the forced removal as an inhuman act and persecution that constitutes a crime against humanity as outlined by the Nuremberg principles, further underscoring the severity of the Belgian colonial state’s actions against mixed-race individuals.
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