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Dutch prime minister apologises for Netherlands’ role in slave trade

  • The government will also establish a fund for initiatives that will tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies
  • Rutte’s speech comes at a time when many nations’ brutal colonial histories have received critical scrutiny because of the Black Lives Matter movement

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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte reacts while apologising as he responds to recommendations from a panel of experts to accept the role of the Netherlands in the history of slavery and its current consequences. Photo: Reuters
Associated Press
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologised on Monday on behalf of his government for the Netherlands’ historical role in slavery and the slave trade, despite calls for him to delay the long-awaited statement.
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“Today I apologise,” Rutte said in a 20-minute speech that was greeted with silence by an invited audience at the National Archive.

Rutte went ahead with the apology even though some activist groups urged him to wait until next year’s July 1 anniversary of the country’s abolition of slavery. Some even went to court last week in a failed attempt to block the speech.

“We know there is no one good moment for everybody, no right words for everybody, no right place for everybody,” Rutte said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte went ahead with the apology even though some activist groups urged him to wait until next year’s July 1 anniversary of the country’s abolition of slavery. Photo: AP
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte went ahead with the apology even though some activist groups urged him to wait until next year’s July 1 anniversary of the country’s abolition of slavery. Photo: AP

He said the government would establish a fund for initiatives that will help tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies.

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