Belgium establishes parliamentary commission on its colonial past

The Storting expanded the inquiry to include Forest Finns, broadening the historical record beyond Sámi and Kven/Norwegian Finn communities. The addition followed criticism that the original mandate...

The government agreed to move toward appointing a truth and reconciliation commission and to prepare its mandate in cooperation with the Sámi Parliament and Skolt Sámi Siida Council. This marked a...

The government appointed an inquiry into historical abuses and assimilation of Tornedalians, Kvens and Lantalaiset. It was tasked with documenting state policy and its consequences and proposing...

In a letter marking 60 years of Congolese independence, King Philippe expressed deepest regrets for acts of violence and suffering during Belgian rule. He did not issue a formal apology, and Congolese...

The Prime Minister’s Office established the project preparing the commission and its mandate. The process followed a Sámi Parliament initiative and required cooperation with Sámi representative...

Historian Benjamin Stora submitted a commissioned report to President Macron recommending symbolic measures, archives access and memorial actions on the Algerian War. It did not recommend a general...

Negotiators initialled a declaration recognizing the 1904–1908 genocide against Herero and Nama and expressing Germany’s intention to ask forgiveness. Several affected community leaders criticized the...

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced that Germany recognized the colonial atrocities in present-day Namibia as genocide and would ask Namibia and descendants for forgiveness. A €1.1 billion,...

The government issued supplementary directives for the inquiry into historical abuses against Tornedalians, Kvens and Lantalaiset and adjusted its work. The extension shaped the investigation that...

The advisory group recommended acknowledgment, apology and recovery for the Netherlands’ role in slavery, centering descendants’ testimony and the continuing effects of slavery. Its findings helped...