THE HAGUE - The Dutch government will organize a meeting in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom after the summer to discuss the follow-up to Prime Minister Rutte's apologies for the Dutch slavery past. State Secretary Van Huffelen announced this in letters sent to the Parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten, as well as the Island Councils of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
"We are on the eve of the Commemorative Year of Slavery History 2023-2024. I will be present at the commemoration and opening of the Commemorative Year on Saba. Throughout this year, we, together with Suriname, reflect on our shared history in the entire Kingdom, so that it becomes permanently ingrained in our collective memory. Initiatives will be organized throughout the Kingdom with the aim of recognition and raising awareness about this past. Part of this includes learning about the stories, gaining knowledge, and listening to how it continues to impact the present," writes Van Huffelen.
Given the different ideas and desires of the islands, each island will have control over the implementation of commitments and apologies. The state secretary intends to engage in discussions with the Parliaments and Island Councils about this matter in the coming period.