July 1 (UPI) — In a speech commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of slavery in Dutch Suriname, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands recognized and apologized for his country’s involvement in the historical slave trade.
The king made his remarks during the Keti Koti Festival in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark, which takes place annually on July 1 to celebrate Suriname’s Emancipation Day.
“‘Within the city of Amsterdam and its jurisdiction, all men are free, and none are slaves.’ These are the words of a Dutch legal provision from 1644,” Willem-Alexander stated in his speech.
“However, the principles that were upheld within this city and country did not extend beyond its borders. Slavery was banned here, but not overseas,” he elaborated.
On the day of the Keti Koti Festival, he publicly apologized, saying, “I ask forgiveness for the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity.”
The Dutch king expressed that he has been reflecting on the history of the Netherlands.
“We have met individuals with Surinamese and Indonesian heritage. Some are only three generations away from family members who were born into slavery. These individuals have made it evident just how deep these wounds still run,” he acknowledged.
The King referred to research figures on the Dutch involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, which saw approximately 600,000 people transported across the Atlantic as slaves on Dutch ships.
“Around 75,000 did not survive the journey,” he said, acknowledging the significant role played by the Dutch East India Company in the slave trade.
In his speech, the monarch celebrated the courageous individuals throughout history who resisted slavery.
“From their hiding places in Suriname’s vast forests and swamps, resistance fighters like Boni, Baron, and Joli-Couer fearlessly challenged the inhumanity of slavery. Their heroic actions, along with those of many others, demonstrate a pride and resilience that could not be broken,” Willem-Alexander declared.
He specifically recognized Tula, the leader of a slave revolt in Curacao in 1795.
“Tula’s words, advocating for the ideals of the French Revolution and the equality of all people regardless of their skin color, sound reasonable and compassionate in our modern ears. He said, ‘We do not seek to harm anyone, but want nothing more than our freedom.'”
Last year, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized on behalf of the government for the Netherlands’ involvement in the slave trade. Also, Willem-Alexander announced that he would no longer use the royal family’s golden carriage due to its colonial depictions.
The government has recently allocated $213 million to educate the public about the history of slavery.
