r Apologize? // (John Hinderaker)
Political apologies are generally worse than ineffective. An apology is not an acceptable way to appease the Left. It will only lead to more demands, most often of a financial nature. The case of Belgium is a good example. Why Belgium won’t apologize for its brutality in Congo
Belgium’s King has rejected an apology for central Africa’s brutal colonial past. This raises the ghost of Leopold II, his ancestor who ruled terror in the Belgian Congo and claimed millions of lives.
Philippe’s great, great-uncle Leopold ran the “Congo Free State” between 1885-1908. During this time, at least ten millions Congolese people, or more than half of the population, either died, or were killed.
I believe that European colonialism was a positive thing for humanity. It helped advance civilization all over the world. Although imperfect, British colonialism was the best. Belgian colonialism was, however, the worst. An apology is not possible, however.
After two years of national soul searching and a special parliamentary commission set up to examine the possibility of reconciliation with former colonies in the territory of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda Belgium, the country has reached an impasse.
This week, talks broke down after Wouter de Vriendt (chairman of the committee) broke his silence to complain about how an apology was a “redline” for the country’s monarchy which still plays an important constitutional role.
Why not apologize? It might seem that Belgium should apologize for many things, even though Congolese self rule has arguably been worse. An apology is a step towards inevitable reparations.
De Standaard newspaper reported last month that the king had “discreetly” told Alexander De Croo (the prime minister) that apologies were not possible and that reparations were not necessary.
The concern of the king is not misplaced
The Walloons, Socialist and Green French-speaking parties from the Walloons, demanded an apology and payment of reparations to Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo. ***
Princess Marie-Esmeralda (the king’s half-aunt) supports an apology and argues that “our last task will be to discuss reparations.”
The Belgian government and its royal family have not been shy about expressing their regret at the excesses under King Leopold’s Belgian colonialism:
King Philippe visited Congo in June and expressed his “profoundest regrets” about colonial rule. However, he was careful to avoid expressing formal apology to a country where anger still rages over atrocities committed by his ancestor Leopold.
He expressed his deepest regret for the past’s wounds and acknowledged that there were “unjustifiable” actions as well as “wrongdoing” and humiliation, but refused to go any further.
Liberal and conservative MPs refused to express more than “deepest regret” under pressure from the palace. They cited legal consequences and the need “keep the door shut” to reparations.
As is often the case in human affairs, the issue ultimately boils down to money. It is not right for Belgium to send checks to the leaders of Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo. These countries are facing huge problems, none of them being Belgium’s fault. It is absurd to think that cash payments to governments would make these countries better. While Belgian colonialism may be the test, the principle of never apologizing to leftists is sound.
