| Statement Type | Apology |
| Date of Statement | 19/12/2022 |
| Issuing Body | Individuals |
| Apology & Regret Statements | The Prime minister gives a historical overview of the system of the slave trade and slavery that the government sanctioned on African people. More specifically, he utilizes the archival record and recent project to acknowledge thses stories to establish the governments three goals: acknowledgment, apology, and recovery. The statement is a personal testament on behalf of the prime minister and his experience with descendants of enslaved communities whose lineage and current lives he has acknowledged are affected by the trade and slavery. Further, he acknowledges freedom fighters and leaders, including “Tula on Curaçao, Jolicoeur, Boni and Baron in Suriname and One-Tété Lohkay on St Maarten.” *Full Statement is in the Folder. |
| Verification Source | https://www.government.nl/documents/speeches/2022/12/19/speech-by-prime-minister-mark-rutte-about-the-role-of-the-netherlands-in-the-history-of-slavery |
| Submitted by | AFFORD |
Western Government/City/Municipal Authority
The Hague Mayor Van Zanen
| Statement Type | Apology |
| Date of Statement | 20/11/2022 |
| Issuing Body | Western Government/City/Municipal Authority |
| Apology & Regret Statements | During a presentation of research into The Hague’s ties to slavery, the mayor offered an apology on behalf of the Hague Municipal Executive. States that through the research, they hope to do justice to descendants. Acknowledges the the Hague was the place where all colonial decisions were made, including the operation of slavery and contract labor. The apology is specifically for how “our predecessors supported and profited from the system of colonialism and slavery. ” It does not specifically mention apologizing to a certain group, but recognizes some of the injustices that descendants may be experiencing due to slavery and colonialism. |
| Verification Source | https://www.denhaag.nl/en/in-the-city/news/mayor-van-zanen-offers-apologies-for-the-hagues-colonial-past-and-slavery-history-.htm |
| Submitted by | AFFORD |
City of Boston
| Statement Type | Apology |
| Date of Statement | 15/06/2022 |
| Issuing Body | Western Government/City/Municipal Authority |
| Apology & Regret Statements | The resolution provides an overview of slavery in Boston and later specifically points to its lingering effects; statistics on income inequality is quoted. After listing the linger effects, the apology is clearly stated. It states that the city of Boston “expresses its deepest and most sincere apology for the city’s connection and responsibility in the transatlantic slave trade, the death, misery, and deprivation that this practice caused; and commits towards actions that include the following.” the apology does not clearly note that it is for descendants of those enslaved. The city pledges to remove anti-black symbols, educate bostonians on Boston and the transatlantic slave trade, create a truth and reconciliation registry, and create policies that tackle inequities in its Black communities. |
| Verification Source | https://www.boston.gov/news/city-council-passes-resolution-apologizes-bostons-role-slavery |
| Submitted by | AFFORD |
King Philippe of Belgium
| Statement Type | Regret |
| Date of Statement | 08/06/2022 |
| Issuing Body | Western Government/City/Municipal Authority |
| Apology & Regret Statements | Quotations and reports suggests that this is a statement of regret. The Belgium King is quoted to saying, “On the occasion of my first trip to Congo, here, in front of the Congolese people and those who still suffer from it today, I wish to reaffirm my deepest regrets for these wounds of the past.” This statement comes after the King previously sent a letter to the President in 2020 expressing regret, and PM Sophie Wilmes called for “recognition of past suffering” but refrained from an apology. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/30/belgian-king-philippe-expresses-profound-regrets-for-brutal-colonial-rule). |
| Verification Source | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/30/belgian-king-philippe-expresses-profound-regrets-for-brutal-colonial-rule |
| Submitted by | AFFORD |
Mayor of Utrecht Sharon Dijksma
| Statement Type | Apology |
| Date of Statement | 23/02/2022 |
| Issuing Body | Western Government/City/Municipal Authority |
| Apology & Regret Statements | “Acknowledging this grim and painful chapter in our history will enable us to draw lessons for the future. In addition, we show descendants of victims that we will not forget our past, but rather start a conversation about the history of slavery and its consequences.” |
| Verification Source | https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/02/utrecht-apologises-for-slavery-role-will-pay-for-name-changes/ |
| Submitted by | AFFORD |
Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb
| Statement Type | Apology |
| Date of Statement | 10/12/2021 |
| Issuing Body | Western Government/City/Municipal Authority |
| Apology & Regret Statements | The statement was made intentionally on December 10th to mark International Human Rights Day (https://nltimes.nl/2021/12/10/rotterdam-apologizes-slavery-past). The apology is on behalf of the Office of mayor and Alderman. He is quoted in saying, “They were partly responsible for colonial oppression, from the Caribbean and Africa to Indonesia.” Further stating, ‘Traces of this past are visible in contemporary culture, architecture and society and tangible for Rotterdammers with roots in the former colonies. The atrocities and gross violations of human rights that took place there have left deep wounds.” |
| Verification Source | https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/12/rotterdam-mayor-apologies-for-citys-role-in-slavery-and-colonialism/ |
| Submitted by | AFFORD |