BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. Reparations for
the consequences of Belgian colonial policy in the Congo, Rwanda,
and Burundi should be aimed not only at compensating for the damage
caused, but also at addressing the long-term consequences of
colonialism, Abbas Abbasov, executive director of the Baku
Initiative Group said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
Abbasov made the statement at an international conference in
Baku on ‘Belgium's colonial injustice and 101-year path to
reparations.’
According to him, reparations should not be limited solely to
financial compensation for the suffering caused by colonial
policies. They should also be aimed at addressing the long-term
consequences of colonialism and resolving the problems that
continue to affect these countries. Abbasov emphasized that these
reparations can help the peoples of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi
overcome the consequences of their colonial past and create
conditions for the formation of stronger and more prosperous
states.
“No amount of compensation or reparations can bring back the
people who died as a result of Belgian colonial policies in the
Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi in the 20th century,” he said.
In addition, it was emphasized that the most important outcome
of reparations should be the creation of conditions that allow
these countries to move forward with dignity and build a better
future on an equal footing with other nations of the world.
“Today at the conference, we will have the opportunity to
discuss the final part of the roadmap for ensuring colonial
reparations, which could be a significant outcome of today’s
event,” Abbasov added.
