July 2, 2023
1 min read

Dutch King apologises for country’s slavery past

The apology comes amid a wider reconsideration of the Netherlands’ colonial past, including involvement in both the Atlantic slave trade and slavery in its former Asian colonies….reports Asian Lite News

Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Saturday apologised for the Netherlands’ historic involvement in slavery and the effects that it still has today.

The king was speaking at a ceremony marking the 160th anniversary of the legal abolition of slavery in the Netherlands, including its former colonies in the Caribbean.

“On this day that we remember the Dutch history of slavery, I ask forgiveness for this crime against humanity,” he said. He said racism in Dutch society remains a problem and not everyone would support his apology.

However “the times have changed and Keti Koti … the chains have truly been broken,” he said to cheers and applause of thousands of onlookers at the national slavery monument in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark.

“Keti Koti” are Surinamese words that mean the ‘the chain is broken’ and it is the title given to July 1 as a day of remembrance of slavery and celebration of freedom.

The apology comes amid a wider reconsideration of the Netherlands’ colonial past, including involvement in both the Atlantic slave trade and slavery in its former Asian colonies.

Willem-Alexander apologised in Indonesia in 2020 for “excessive violence” during Dutch colonial rule.

In December Prime Minister Mark Rutte acknowledged the Dutch State bears a responsibility in the Atlantic slave trade and profited from it, and apologised.

Rutte has said the government will not pay reparations, as an advisory panel recommended in 2021.

A government-commissioned study published last month found that the House of Orange profited by around $600 million in modern terms from Dutch colonies in 1675-1770, much of it given as a gift from the Dutch East India Company’s spice trade profits.

The Royal House in December commissioned an independent investigation into the Royal Family’s role in colonial history, with results expected in 2025.

ALSO READ: Report: Russian General arrested following Wagner mutiny

Previous Story

23rd ECCAS summit kicks off in Libreville

Next Story

India gets set to strengthen Tanzania  

Latest from -Top News

Ice cold clash over Indus

New Delhi defends treaty suspension, calls out Pakistan’s “misuse” of global climate platform India has sharply rebuked Pakistan at a United Nations conference in Tajikistan over allegations surrounding the suspension of the

Modi Plants Gift of Courage at Home

During his Kutch visit, PM Modi received Sindoor saplings from brave women of the 1971 war….reports Asian Lite News Marking World Environment Day on June 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a

Mexico Slams U.S. Tariff Hike

Mexico and the United States are partners in a free trade agreement, so from the Mexican government’s perspective, the tariff “has no legal basis.”…reports Asian Lite News Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on

India Ramps Up Security Game with Central Asia

The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in January 2019 in Samarkand, serves as a key platform for strengthening ties between India and Central Asia…reports Asian Lite News Foreign Ministers from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,

Bangladesh Islamists Back in the Game

Commissioner Sanaulla stated that Jamaat’s party symbol will be returned following a policy decision made by the EC….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to have its party
Go toTop