AMSTERDAM: Dutch King Willem-Alexander has formally tendered apology for Netherlands’ role in slavery, adding he felt “intensely and personally” affected.
The Netherlands became a key colonial power following the 17th Century, holding regions across the world, and Netherlands slave traders trafficked over 600,000 people. The King on Saturday termed the practice a “horror”. The royal family played no role to prevent it, the Kind admitted.
Netherlands King Apologizes for His Country’s Role in Slavery
Willem-Alexander was speaking at function marking the 160th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Netherlands. However, it was unclear ahead of the function whether or not the monarch would apologize for the role of Royal Family in the practice.
In June, a study explored that the rulers of Netherlands had received $595 million in today’s money between 1675 and 1770 from its colonies where the slave trade was enforced. He said, “Today I am standing here in front of you and I am apologizing myself,”. He said that following apology and acknowledgment, they could work together on restoration and reconciliation.
During the 17th Century the country occupied large strips of territory in regions that currently make up South Africa, Indonesia, West Papua and Curaçao and became a major player in the transAtlantic slave trade.
Thousands of individuals were trafficked from the continent of Africa to Netherlands’ colonies in the Caribbean and South America. However, the trade was banned in 1863. The country produced huge wealth and money from the inhuman trade.
In 2022, Netherlands’ PM Mark Rutte also tendered apology for his country’s role in the trade, adding that it should be recognized a major crime against humanity.
Similarly, several cities in the country like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, have also tendered apologies for their role in the inhuman trade.
But Netherlands has taken a lot of time to resolve its colonial past, and it was not until 2006 that the history of the country regarding slavery was included to the school curriculum, BBC reported.
