The hallucinatory sequence of irregularities and illegalities decapitated the investigation and deprived survivors of clergy sexual abuse of their fundamental right to a fair trial.
On three occasions, the same senior magistrate of the Brussels Court of Appeal (magistrate "X" mentioned in the report) to summon the victims to a hearing at which the fate of the crown pieces of the file "Operation Kelk" was decided.
The law explicitly requires the summoning of victims, which was also confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Even after knowing that he was in the business "Operation Kelk" no longer allowed and could sit, magistrate " gaveX" on 20 March 2014 at a third illegal session, the investigation was put to death by returning all documents to the church authorities.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office also allowed this completely illegal legal process to happen. More so, it ordered the same day, 20 March 2014, to give the documents to the church immediately, instead of filing a remedy with the Supreme Court to safeguard the interests of the victims.
After 14 years, there is no serious possibility of an impartial investigation into the atrocities the victims fell prey to.
Justice has been unusually and exceptionally severely flawed throughout.
Now is the time for recovery as well as the overall truth.
The parliamentary enquiry committee should clarify the how, who and why of this deception.
Indeed, the Supreme Judicial Council was not given the resources and cooperation to expose the 'ins and outs' of impermissible influence. The Supreme Court was denied access to crucial internal communications.
Moreover, the parliamentary enquiry committee should also demand that a reparation fund be set up for the victims, so that they ultimately receive not a handout but full compensation for the suffering undergone, for the sometimes partially, sometimes completely destroyed lives, the therapy costs, the missed careers and the loss of so much joy of life.
On 2 May next, the victims will meet in Ghent to consider their own initiatives.
