On 20 January 2026, three days after the 65th anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Émery Lumumba, the Belgian justice system will hold a decisive hearing to determine whether criminal proceedings related to his death and those of Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito, will proceed.
At this stage of the proceedings, Étienne Davignon remains the last surviving indicted individual in this case, making this hearing a potentially final opportunity for a Belgian court to examine individual criminal responsibility for a major colonial crime.
On this symbolic date, African Futures Lab, together with European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), will attend and support the press conference held by Jus Cogens Law Firm and the Lumumba family, reaffirming the importance of truth, accountability, and justice as foundations for meaningful repair.
Join us next tuesday, in Brussels or online, to follow this important moment. The press conference will be held in French and English.
📍 Hybrid: Press Club Brussels Europe (95 Rue Froissart, 1040 Brussels) & Press Club Brussels Europe’s YouTube channel (external link)
🗓️ Tuesday, 20 January 2026 | 2PM CET
ℹ️ More info: mlhd@juscogens.be | lm@juscogens.be