Today, I was in the courtroom listening to the verdict of the Assize Court regarding compensation for the victims of the terrorist attacks at Zaventem Airport and Maalbeek metro station.
I had the opportunity to assist Philippe Vansteenkiste, as the director of V-Europe and brother of Fabienne, who died at the airport. This was during his interactions with the press at the hearing. V-Europe was established shortly after the attacks and supports victims of terrorism in Belgium and Belgians abroad. They have done an outstanding job by providing support to hundreds of victims throughout the entire process since February 2022.
The chairperson asked all parties for permission not to read the judgment regarding the civil parties' interests (due to the volume of pages). Without everyone fully understanding the request, without translation from French to Dutch, or without the civil parties technically giving their consent, the chairperson closed the entire hearing in just 5 brief minutes. Present victims were left speechless, thinking that at least a portion would be read aloud. Even a brief human farewell from the Court was absent. The journalists present also seemed shocked.
25 years ago, I was involved in the launch of Child Focus because the government also failed there in providing human support. Five years later, we repeated the same exercise for better support of traffic accident victims. Each time, it seems we have to rediscover everything. What a waste of time and emotions.
The trial is seen as a landmark case. However, the final part for the victims, determining the damages, was characterized by an understaffed Court that decided to postpone in September, only to abruptly end the longest trial in Belgian history a month later. Talk about an anticlimax.
This is a missed opportunity. With every step that Justice takes, it is not only about punishment but also about the chance to heal. And this is the crucial step we are missing. It is impossible to undo the crime, but Justice can support recovery.
Hopefully, there will be news for the victims on Monday, and the judgment will land in their inboxes. I hope that V-Europe has more manpower to explain this judgment to them so that their healing can begin.
Lieve Stappers,
Former director of Child Focus and ZEBRA, an ally of young traffic accident victims.