Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces bombing the Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect
The Kremlin: Negotiations toward a settlement in Ukraine are currently at a complete standstill
Abu Mujahid: The steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the Resistance thwarted the displacement plan and allowed us to secure the best possible terms in an agreement to halt the genocidal war
Abu Mujahid: We salute whosoever made sacrifices in support of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the martyred Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine, as well as the people of Yemen and Iran
Abu Mujahid, head of the media office of the Popular Resistance Committees, to Al Mayadeen: The people of Gaza have sacrificed and given their most precious offerings for the Al-Aqsa Flood
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli artillery shelling targeted Khan Younis and the al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps
Captives may be released as early as Saturday and by Monday at the latest: Source briefed on the details of the agreement.
Netanyahu set to convene security cabinet at 1500 (1200GMT) and government at 1600 (1300GMT) to approve the deal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement
Within the first 24 hours, the Israeli military will complete the first phase of partial withdrawal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement

Apology for slavery leaves Dutch divided

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 19 Dec 2022 14:29
3 Min Read

The Netherlands is expected to apologize for slavery with a speech on Monday.

  • x
  • Rotterdam's Dutch Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb lays a wreath of flowers during the commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Caribbean Netherlands, in Rotterdam, on June 30, 2022. Source: Robin UTRECHT / ANP / AFP
    Rotterdam's Dutch Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb lays a wreath of flowers during the commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Caribbean Netherlands, in Rotterdam, on June 30, 2022. (AFP)

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands will give a statement on Monday, and ministers will go to the Caribbean and Suriname. All of these events are part of the Netherlands' planned apology for slavery. What Mark Rutte plans to say now is unknown due to criticism about the day picked and the manner in which the announcement was handled.

Critics complain about inadequate consultation and charge that the Dutch cabinet's efforts to force it through have a "colonial feel."

A court injunction was filed by six Suriname foundations to postpone the apology until July 1, 2023, which would be the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colonies. "If there's an apology, it should be on the first of July, which is the date of our emancipation, when they removed our shackles," says DJ Etienne Wix, whose community radio station mArt was among the groups seeking a different date.

Read next: Potential Dutch slavery apology plan faces backlash

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Dutch traders trafficked more than 600,000 individuals from Africa and Asia.

Related News

Netherlands-flagged cargo ship reportedly attacked near Yemen’s Aden

Netherlands depends on China for critical minerals in tech industry

In the "New World," which was comprised of colonized lands in the Americas and Caribbean, enslaved men, women, and children were made to labor as household slaves, in mines, and on sugar, coffee, and tobacco plantations. Extreme physical, mental, and sexual abuse was inflicted upon them.

Profits from this grueling labor contributed to the "Golden Age," a time of economic prosperity in the 17th century when the Netherlands experienced enormous advances in science and culture.

In addition to a formal apology, the Dutch government has vowed to spend €27 million on a slavery museum and €200 million (£175 million) on awareness initiatives.

Read next: Netherlands sets up a $204 M fund for 'reparations on slavery'

Royal recognition

An impartial study into the Dutch royal family's involvement in colonialism's past and present has been ordered by King Willem-Alexander.

This is happening as other royal families reflect on their participation in the slave trade. During remarks in Rwanda and Jamaica earlier this year, King Charles III of the UK and the Prince of Wales expressed "personal" and "profound" grief for Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

An official apology from the Dutch may put additional pressure on other countries to explicitly acknowledge and make reparations for past and present violations of human rights.

  • The Netherlands
  • Netherlands
  • Holland
  • Dutch
  • Slavery

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Mistrust paralyzes Washington as shutdown drags on for 9th day

Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s military power in Caribbean
Politics

Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s military power in Caribbean

ap
Politics

UN to slash peacekeeping operations as US funding cuts take effect

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, right, applauds after delivering a speech at the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Politics

Spain passes decree formalizing full arms embargo on 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS