Commemoration Abolition of Slavery

Many of the descendants of slavery victims had Monday probably like to hear excuses from Vice Premier Lodewijk Asscher. But those excuses could not be heard. However, he testified on behalf of the government 'deep regret and remorse. " He then received an applause from the people present, mostly dressed in colorful folk robes, at the commemoration in Amsterdam Oosterpark. It was Monday exactly 150 years ago that the Netherlands abolished slavery in the colonies. According to Eddy Campbell, chairman of the National Institute Dutch Slavery, NiNsee, thinks that many think about whether an apology for this 'inhumane' past should be offered to the descendants. Among others, the Council of Churches is in favor of this. "Certainly, excuses will contribute to the psychological liberation and satisfaction in a large proportion of the descendants of the enslaved. But apologies can not be forced." Campbell said Monday that slavery is still an open wound for many of the descendants. "The legacy of slavery is a torment for our conscience and a heavy burden on our minds." He held a further plea for greater emancipation of the descendants in today's society, for example in the media, the judiciary, academia and the government. The commemoration at the National Monument for Slavery included 1 minute of silence for the victims. Besides Vice Premier Asscher, king Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima were also present. Several dignitaries laid wreaths. Although the word apology was not spoken, Armand Zunder, chairman of the Committee Repair Slavery Surinam, thinks that there is movement in the position of the Dutch government about slavery. "The government has already three or four times expressed regret, but now there is repentance. And repentance means you've done something. The government has undoubtedly very well thought about this choice of words and it can be seen as a small step forward," said Zunder. Edwin Campbell also had certainly expected that there would be apologies. Roy Ho Ten Soong, chairman of the Surinaams Inspraakorgaan (SIO), is disappointed. For him it is incomprehensible that the king and queen come to such an important meeting and not even lay a wreath. Also Barryl Biekman of the National Platform Slavery was deeply disappointed. “The king could at least have laid a wreath and I expected apologies of the Dutch government.”