Surinamese associations want to use an emergency procedure to ensure that the apologies are not offered on a random date, but on July 1 next year, 160 years after the official abolition of slavery by the Netherlands. They also do not feel involved, ANP news agency reports.
Interest groups submitted a list of demands to the government. The recognition of slavery, apologies and reparations must be legally anchored, the organizations believe, broadcaster NOS reported on Saturday. The government must also ensure that the discrimination against the descendants of slaves, which continues today, is combated. The Netherlands should also cancel debts to the Caribbean islands and Suriname.
The fact that Franc Weerwind, a Dutch minister who is himself a descendant of slaves, would be in the former colony of Suriname on December 19 caused a sensation. In Suriname this was met with criticism, a representative of the Surinamese organization in memory of slavery in the Netherlands demanded that “a white person” in Suriname should apologize, the media reported.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday that Weerwind’s visit will be maintained. A minister’s skin color was not allowed to play a role in a gesture related to slavery. Rutte did not say what exactly will happen on December 19 and whether it is an official excuse.
Next year, the Netherlands will commemorate the end of slavery. Descendants of slaves and residents of the former colonies, in particular, had campaigned for apologies. Prime Minister Rutte’s cabinet had refused for years. A committee set up by the government subsequently stated in July that the Netherlands should apologize and actively work to combat the consequences, such as racism.
(SDA)