Advertisement
Dutch king apologises for his country’s role in slavery on 150th anniversary of abolition
- In Amsterdam on Saturday, King Willem-Alexander said: ‘I ask forgiveness for the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity’
- The king said he has commissioned a study into the exact role of the royal House of Orange-Nassau in slavery in the Netherlands
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologised on Saturday for his country’s role in slavery and asked for forgiveness in a historic speech greeted by cheers and whoops at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
Advertisement
The king’s speech followed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s apology late last year for the country’s role in the slave trade and slavery. It is part of a wider reckoning with colonial histories in the West that have been spurred in recent years by the Black Lives Matter movement.
In an emotional speech, Willem-Alexander referred back to that apology as he told a crowd of invited guests and onlookers: “Today I stand before you. Today, as your king and as a member of the government, I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul.”
The king said he has commissioned a study into the exact role of the royal House of Orange-Nassau in slavery in the Netherlands.
“But today, on this day of remembrance, I ask forgiveness for the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity,” he added.
Advertisement
Advertisement