As much as other European colonialists have fucked up Africa over the years, I don’t think any one person can have more blame for that than Leopold II of Belgium. Just ran the place like his own personal genocidal fiefdom.
Dude was one of the biggest scumbags in human history, but not many people know about him.
The court ordered the state to pay the women €50,000 in damages each for the suffering caused by breaking their ties to their mothers, home environments and loss of identity. It also said the government must pay “more than €1m” in legal costs.
The women had limited damages they sought to €50,000, because if they had lost they would be liable to pay the state compensation based on the original claim.
Ok that’s crazy. They sued the government due to their forced removal from their families, but if they lost the court case (which they did the first time), they would have to pay the Belgium government the amount they sued it for? That sounds exceedingly fucked.
It probably shouldn’t apply to suing the Government, but I think it’s a good idea.
Stops the stupid sue-happy culture the US loves so much.
The litigousness of the US is greatly exaggerated. Largely by big companies, trying to close off the one resource common folk have in dealing with them if they ever screw us over. Meanwhile, large conpanies file roughly 4 times as many suits than individuals, and are reprimanded for frivolous suits far more often.
Not the full cost but a percentage. I still think it’s dumb
Justice is slow
Is it justice if those guilty never see consequences?
If ever for many.
