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Belgium expresses apology for colonial abuse

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Belgium’s King Philippe has admitted that what his country had done to the Democratic Republic of Congo during the colonial period was wrong.

In a letter to the president of the African country, the King of Belgium has expressed his deep regret for the wrongs his country committed during the dark period of colonial rule.

The crucial letter has been sent to respect the 60th Independence Day of Democratic Republic of Congo.

The African country – now a huge military power – had been under the control of Belgium till the country secured independence in the year 1960.

Needless to say, the colonial rule over the African country was brutal. Millions of locals lost their lives during that dark period.

Colonial atrocity was a forgotten topic. It was – probably purposefully –  avoided from most high profile discussion tables in the past.

It was the custodial death of a Black American that brought the subject back to spotlight. It even torched a global movement for the betterment of black and for the elimination of racial discrimination, named Black Lives Matters.

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Belgian prince attracts penalty for breaking lockdown measures

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The fine of $11,800 has been imposed on Belgian Prince Joachim, who has been found to have violated the measures imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Spain.

The Prince actually reached Spain to take part in an internship program. He was supposed to observe a 14 day quarantine period. But, on the second day of his arrival he violated the rule by attending a public function.

He later contracted the disease.

He has apologized for the mistake he committed. He has expressed his willingness to face the legal consequences of his irresponsible action.  

He is supposed to pay the fine amount within a timeframe of 15 days. If he does, he only have to pay the half of what he has been asked to pay.

If he fails to do so, he may attract severe legal action.

The issue has attracted serious global attraction. Many have commended on this issue in certain social media platforms. In the coming days, more discussions are expected to happen over why certain high profile persons find happiness in violating the measures imposed to save the world from the clutches of the Covid-19 outbreak.V

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Mali govt criticises the arrest of Singer Rokia Traore in France

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A day after a renowned Mali singer, Rokia Traore, was arrested in the European country of France on an arrest warrant issued by Belgium in connection with a family dispute filed in a Belgian court, the Mali government has released a statement supporting the singer, strongly criticising the arrest of the singer.

The African country has called the arrest illegal, saying that the fact that the singer is a Diplomatic Passport holder.

A person with a Diplomatic Passport has certain privileges. He/She cannot be arrested without the consent of his/her country.

The singer’s lawyer says that the singer was on her way to appear before the Belgian court to defend her estranged husband’s petition seeking the custody of their five-year-old daughter.

The singer faces several serious charges in Belgium. She is accused of kidnapping and hostage-taking.

As per a latest report, she is on hunger stroke in a French jail where she has been taken after her arrest.

The case is likely to disturb the diplomatic relation between the African country of Mali and the European country of France.


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Belgium Euthanasia Case: Accused Doctors Acquitted

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In a historic judgement, at least three doctors, who faced a criminal charge for the improper handling of a case of euthanasia, have been acquitted on the ground that the prosecution has failed to prove beyond the scope of doubt the case filed against the doctors.

The testimony of the family members of the woman who was helped by end her life by the doctors that their beloved’s death was improperly handled by the doctors approached to carry out the procedure has failed to make much impact in the final verdict of the court.

It was in the year 2002 the controversial euthanasia law was implemented in the European country of Belgium.

Since the year 2002, several controversial cases have emerged in connection with the controversial law.

The case that has finally closed with the acquittal of the doctors is the first euthanasia case that has gone through the court procedure.

The latest judgement is a landmark judgement. The verdict may alter the current that flows against the controversial euthanasia law.

Anyway, the demand for more clarity in the euthanasia law cannot be ignored completely. The country should address the crisis at the earliest, if it wishes to make the law less complicated.


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