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News | 19-12-2022 | 16:18
This afternoon, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for the past actions of the Dutch government in a speech: “To the slaves of the past, their daughters and sons and all their descendants around the world who have suffered as a result of these actions until today. The Prime Minister apologized to the Dutch government at the National Archives in The Hague, attended by representatives of organizations that have called for recognition of the impact of slavery. In Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, members of the government will meet with organizations and authorities to discuss what this apology means in these places.
We do this — and we do it now — so that, as we approach this important anniversary year, we can find a way forward together. We share not only a past but also a future. So, with this apology, we write not a period but a comma.
The Prime Minister’s apology and other dialogue is an important part of the Government’s response to the report entitled “Chains of the Past” submitted by the Slavery History Dialogue Group in July 2021. The report recommends that the Government undertake recognition, apology and restoration regarding slavery in the Kingdom. The Government’s response to the report was sent to the Dutch House of Representatives this afternoon.
After the speech, the Chancellor, together with Deputy Chancellors Sigrid Kaag, Wopke Hoekstra, Carola Schouten, Ministers Hanke Bruins Slot and Robbert Dijkgraaf, held private talks with the delegates.
Government response
The Government will set aside €200 million as a fund to raise awareness, promote engagement and address the current impacts of slavery. Planning of activities and allocation of funds will be done in consultation with future generations and other relevant stakeholders.
In addition, the Government proposes to establish an independent commemoration committee. The committee will be tasked with ensuring that the history of slavery is commemorated on a large scale and with dignity, together with the Kingdom’s Caribbean region, Suriname and other countries on 1 July 2023. The Government wishes to use the upcoming commemoration year as an opportunity to assess, with all sectors of society and the commemoration committee, how this annual commemoration can be arranged on a larger scale, more appropriate and more cohesive basis in the future.
The upcoming commemorative year will begin on July 1 next year and will feature a number of major national events. The King himself has taken a keen interest in this theme and will attend the commemorations in Amsterdam on July 1. The commemorative year will provide ample scope for social, cultural and educational activities throughout society.
Further steps
The government sees today’s apology as a first step. In its response to the report of the Slavery History Dialogue Group, the government announced that it would give full weight to the Netherlands’ role in the history of slavery in education, as this is where young people come into contact with history.
The government will also work to increase knowledge and awareness of slavery through the preservation and development of museums and archives and the protection of cultural heritage, both in the European Netherlands, the Caribbean and other relevant countries. The government will consult with Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba on the specific wishes of these regions. In addition, the government will contribute to the development of a national slavery museum and an accompanying knowledge centre. The recently announced multi-year study will provide input for these new institutions. The government will also make it easier for people to change their surnames if they have links to slavery.
The government will announce the formal rehabilitation of the murdered Curacao resistance hero Toula. The fund will also provide space for other resistance fighters to be honored in an appropriate manner.
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