AFP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Surinamese President Santokhi says he took “good note”. the speech by Prime Minister Rutte yesterday, in which the Prime Minister apologized for the past of slavery on behalf of the Dutch state. At the same time, Santokhi criticizes the way the apology came in a statement.
Prior to the apology, various people involved were unhappy with the apology date. Various committees wild ones that an apology would be offered next year on Keti Koti (July 1), which will mark 150 years since the end of slavery in the kingdom.
Including the National Slavery Commemoration Committee of Suriname supported the appointment.
“A joint approach would have been better”
In a written statement, Santokhi said that “a collaborative approach from the outset would have been more plausible to work together towards a moment of honor and restoration.”
“This is about centuries of oppression and exploitation. Apologizing also means taking into account the momentum, the cultural aspects of the descendants of slaves, and the significance of the moment of apology,” the statement read.
“Making preparations to apologize is just as important as actually offering that apology in practice.”
The apology provoked mixed reactions:
Looking back: Rutte’s historic apology and reactions
The Surinamese president says Rutte’s speech was “plain and clear” regarding Dutch involvement in the inhumane treatment of people who were forcibly taken to Suriname for a long time to work as slaves for the Dutch economy.
Minister Weerwind was in Paramaribo yesterday when he apologized. A couple of days Before that, Minister Kaag traveled to the country for an apology discussion.
