PARAMARIBO, Suriname, The Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag is now in the country for a meeting with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi about the intended Dutch apologies for the slavery past.
The visit comes as the Dutch government intends to formally apologize to the descendants of the enslaved Africans in its former colonies on Monday.
The plans of the Dutch cabinet were leaked to the media a few weeks ago, after which a fierce discussion arose about this controversial issue.
During a press conference earlier this week and then in parliament on Thursday, Santokhi indicated that the Netherlands still needs to inform his government about the apology formally.
The head of state indicated that he had no objection to the former colonizer’s intention, but he believes the matter should have been discussed at the government level.
The President stated that Monday should only be seen as a starting date for a process leading to the formal expression of regret.
The President further noted that this issue would not be a matter for the government. Still, the National Assembly, the National Reparations Commission of Suriname, and interest groups of descendants of enslaved people who deal with this issue will also be involved.
“We want the slavery history and apologies to be handled with care and all parties involved to be heard so that proper policies are established.” said the President.
The President, the current chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said he recently discussed the slavery and reparations issue with Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, as the issue of reparations has been on the Caricom agenda for several years.
While here, Kaag will also meet with various ministers and a parliamentary committee. It is reported that she will explain the Dutch government’s plans about what it wants to do on Monday.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands has said several times that a “meaningful” message regarding the slavery past will be delivered.
Surinamese and Dutch-based interest groups are angered that the Dutch government has unilaterally set the date of December 19 and has not involved them in the decision-making process.
They indicate that it makes no sense for the Netherlands to offer apologies that are not accepted.
Several Dutch-based organizations filed a lawsuit against the Dutch state last week to bar it from going ahead with its plan to issue a formal apology on Monday. Others demands were also linked to this lawsuit, including the abolition of the visa requirement for Surinamese nationals to travel to the Netherlands.
However, the judge in The Hague rejected the claim of the Surinamese and Caribbean foundations.
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