Mixed-Race Children under Colonialism

Photo of a ‘ménagère’ and her mixed-race child around 1905
A crime against humanity? A trial with archival sources

In 2020, five women of mixed-race took Belgium to court, accusing the state of crimes against humanity. They had been born during the colonial era to an African mother and a European father.

This landmark trial is the starting point for the educational module. Students step into the role of judges: they examine the charges, listen to testimony from a witness and an expert, analyze archival records as evidence, and study a reconstruction of events.

What verdict will your students reach?

Place & period
Belgian Congo (1908-1960)
Ruanda-Urundi (1919-1962)
Theme
Governance
Decolonization
Diaspora
Gender
Independance
Education
Racism
Religion
Resistance
Type
Lesson package
Historical sources
Video
Testimony
Year
2025
Language
French
Dutch
Target audience
3rd stage secondary
Duration
80 min.