Brussels pays tribute to murdered British MP Jo Cox

Hundreds of people gathered at the Ancienne Belgique on Wednesday evening to pay tribute to the murdered British member of parliament Jo Cox, a strong campaigner for human rights who spent six years working here in Brussels.

The commemoration of her life and work was a global initiative, on the day that she would have turned 42, with simultaneous events taking place from London to New York and from Darfur to a Syrian refugee camp.

Friends and former colleagues in Brussels were among those who came to celebrate Jo Cox's "warmth, love, energy, passion, flair, Yorkshire heritage, and belief in the humanity of every person in every place". The Labour MP for Birstall, West Yorkshire, had worked here as an assistant to Glenys Kinnock MEP for two years before joining Oxfam International.

Philippa Wood, who worked with her in the European parliament, told The Bulletin: "Jo's death has been an attack on all of us who believe the same things that she does. There's a happiness about being here because we are supporting everything that she supported in life."

Another colleague of hers in the European parliament added: "She was passionate for her work and always wanted to help people. I couldn't believe that one of the good people has gone - she was an amazing human being and it's a loss to humanity."

In a nod to Jo Cox's humanitarian work, the Brussels gathering featured a lively programme of music, including a Syrian cellist, a Burundian musician, an Iranian violinist, an Iraqi guitarist, the Brussels association Refugees Got Talent - as well as a local Brussels choir. Belgian poet Dorothy Oger gave a reading of "I Shall Stand For Love" - a poem she wrote in the aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks in March.

'A force of nature'

Eloise Todd, a close friend of Jo Cox and one of the event's organisers, said: "Jo was a force of nature and she campaigned tirelessly for causes that she believed in. We don't want that to be forgotten - we want to carry on the good work that she left behind, whether it was Syrian refugees, fighting extremism or conquering loneliness she wouldn't stop until she had results. She always wanted to bring people together to get the job done.

"We've brought people together around the world to honour her 42nd birthday and to show that whoever we are, we have more in common than that which divides us - just like she said in her maiden speech."

Artino, a Syrian refugee who worked with Jo Cox, said: "I was a war photographer inside Syria. We used to talk on Skype about what's going on inside the siege area.

"She was one of the big supporters of the White Helmets - the civil defence corps. She tried to let people know about their work. She was also working with us to let people know about refugees and welcoming refugees in Europe. The White Helmet leader made a short video to honour Jo and what she meant to them."

'A divisive period in the UK'

Simon O'Connor worked with her when she was at Oxfam International: "She was someone who stuck in my memory as she did in many people's memories. I remember her enthusiasm, her optimism, just what a friendly, unassuming person she was even though she was clearly extremely intelligent and obviously was going to go a long way.

"I'm very happy that her dear friends have organised this. It's good that people here in Brussels have the chance to come together and remember the happy days that Jo brought. We've seen such a divisive period in the UK. People have been inspired by her words and what she stood for."

Finally, accompanied by some "raucous music" from a Macedonian brass orchestra, well-wishers walked from the Ancienne Belgique to the steps of the Bourse where they laid white roses - the symbol of Yorkshire.

Photos: Kate Havrlik