Dutch King issues an apology for his country’s involvement in slavery

The monarch described slavery as the “degrading” absence of freedom throughout human history.

At a gathering on Saturday, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands formally apologized for his nation’s involvement in the slave trade and begged for forgiveness for what he called a “crime against humanity.”

Speaking to an audience commemorating the 160th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands, the Dutch King mentioned the country’s former Caribbean territories.

“I’m here in front of you today. I personally apologize today in my capacity as your King and a representative of the executive branch. I can feel the words’ weight in my heart and soul,” he continued.

During the 17th century, the Netherlands developed into a significant colonial power, building a vast foreign empire that comprised regions in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

According to the Slavery and Remembrance organization, Dutch slave traffickers worked throughout the west coast of the African continent, trafficking more than 500,000 people. Tobacco, coffee, cotton, cocoa, and sugar plantations were where they were sent after being transported to the Caribbean and South America.

According to a recent research funded by the Dutch government and conducted last month, the House of Orange benefited from its colonies between 1675 and 1770, when slavery was legal there, to the tune of about $600 million in today’s dollars.

During his speech, King Willem-Alexander referred to the practice as “horror” and expressed remorse that the royal family did nothing to put an end to it.

He continued, saying that “of all forms of absence of freedom, slavery is the most hurtful, the most humiliating, and the most degrading.” “Today, I am asking for forgiveness for the crystal-clear lack of action,” he stated.

He acknowledged that not everyone would accept his apology and claimed that racism in Dutch society was “still felt today as a result of slavery.”

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also expressed regret for his nation’s historical participation in the Atlantic slave trade and acknowledged that his nation benefited from it in the latter part of last year.

A 2019 research by the Dutch Research Council claimed that slavery was a significant economic factor in the Netherlands. Between 1738 and 1780, the practice was solely responsible for the province of Holland’s 40% economic growth.