King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has formally apologised for his country’s role in the slave trade, describing it as a ‘horror’ that left him feeling ‘personally and intensely’ affected.
He was speaking at an event marking the 160th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the country, the BBC reports.
The Netherlands became a major colonial power after the 17th Century, holding territories across the globe, with Dutch slave traders trafficking more than 600 000 people.
Last month, a new study revealed that Dutch rulers received the equivalent of €545m in today’s money between 1675 and 1770 from colonies where slavery was enforced.
A Dutch Research Council study found that 40% of economic growth in the western province of Holland between 1738 and 1780 could be attributed to the trade.
The BBC reports that, last year, Prime Minister Mark Rutte also apologised for the country’s historical role in the slave trade, saying in a speech at The Hague that it must be recognised in ‘the clearest terms’ as ‘a crime against humanity’.
While several Dutch cities, including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, have issued apologies for their role in the trade, the Netherlands is perceived to have taken time to address its colonial past. It was not until 2006 that the history of Dutch slavery was added to the school curriculum.
During his speech in Amsterdam, King Willem-Alexander conceded that the “monarchs and rulers of the House of Orange took no steps against [slavery]”.
“Today I’m standing here in front of you as your King and as part of the government. Today I am apologising myself,” he said.
“Today, I am asking for forgiveness for the crystal-clear lack of action.”
Accompanied by his wife Queen Maxima, the King acknowledged that he could not speak for the entire nation, but he told the crowd that “the vast majority” of Dutch citizens “do support the fight for equality for all people, regardless of colour or cultural background”.
“After acknowledgment and apology, we can work together on healing, reconciliation and restoration,” the King added.
His speech received cheers from the crowd at the Keti Koti Festival – the country’s annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery.
Saying sorry for slavery leaves Dutch people divided.
During the 17th Century, the Netherlands conquered large swathes of territory in regions that now make up Indonesia, South Africa, Curaçao and West Papua, and became a key player in the transatlantic slave trade.
Thousands of people were trafficked from Africa to Dutch colonies in the Caribbean and South America – amounting to around 5% of the entire transatlantic slave trade – before the practice was banned in 1863.
But in the nation of Suriname it continued during a mandatory 10-year transition period, causing untold grief and pain.