Joy but also criticism after the king’s official apology for the Dutch history of slavery

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On Saturday, King Willem-Alexander apologized for the Netherlands’ role in the history of slavery at Amsterdam’s Oosterpark. The King of the Netherlands gave a speech on the occasion of the national commemoration of past slavery. Although the speech was met with much applause, there were also critical voices who had hoped for more.

Members of the Dutch parliament who attended the commemoration of slavery in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark were impressed by King Willem-Alexander’s speech. After Prime Minister Mark Rutte in December, the monarch apologized for Dutch history of slavery.

Don Ceder (Christian Union) spoke of a “historic moment”. He said he saw many people shed tears when the king apologized. Prime Minister Mark Rutte had done the same earlier. But the king “also represents the institution that has been the highest authority for centuries,” Ceder said. The fact that he is now repeating those apologies is not only beautiful, but also has a healing effect. I think that really sparked something.”

D66 member Jorien Wuite took Willem-Alexanders’ speech with a “warm heart”. “I think we made history together today,” she said. It also sets the tone for the Netherlands on the international stage, she believes. Wuite also pointed to the king’s prominent position in the Caribbean part of the kingdom. “We shouldn’t underestimate that. When it (the apology) comes out of his mouth, it makes even more sense.”

Additionally, Curaao Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas said in his Saturday speech at the commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Curaao that the Dutch apology “represents a historic moment and is an acknowledgment of past suffering and pain”. He also hailed the king’s plea for forgiveness. “We appreciate it very much,” he said.

According to Pisas, the Netherlands showed “courage and a sense of responsibility” to “address the painful issues of the past”, and called the apology a significant change in relations between Curaao and the Netherlands.

Now, he said, the country must work on social stability. Curaao’s Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Culture, Sithree van Heydoorn, also expressed his view along these lines in his speech. He said that “for a long time in Curaao we did not talk about the dark period of slavery. Some even downplayed the horrors and ridiculed the period.”

But that has now changed. There is change. Curaao is stepping out of the shadows of the past, says Van Heydoorn. According to him, the Dutch apology is an important part of this.

“This is not only a historic moment in the existence of the Netherlands, but also an incredibly moving moment,” said Rabin Baldewsingh, the National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism (NCDR) in response to the King’s apology. Willem-Alexander for the Netherlands. slave past.

“Of course it’s striking that he apologized,” Baldewsingh said. “But what really touched me was that our king dared to make himself so small here in public and ask for forgiveness. I was very touched by this forgiveness. For me, the king is the embodiment of change , of a changing time. I also really liked that he really tries to involve and involve all the Netherlands, even those who have doubts.

The king’s apology also led to calls for more action. For example, activist Jerry Afriyie of the Netherlands Becomes Better foundation said after the ceremony that the King of the Netherlands “dotted the i’s” during the national commemoration of the history of slavery in Amsterdam. . Now it is up to all of us, but especially the politicians, to step up and ensure that this is not just words, but translates into deeds as well,” Afriyie stressed.

Among the visitors who attended Willem-Alexander’s speech in Amsterdam were also skeptics who wanted to see more action. “Words don’t mean much to me. I want to see the action first. Maybe it will mean something to me afterwards. It would have been nicer if the king had promised something concrete, or had done it before,” a listener said. .

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