GroenLinks and D66 propose dedicating 2023 to remembering the history of slavery

Today is Keti Koti, the day on which the Netherlands celebrates the abolition of slavery. Party leaders from GroenLinks and D66 have proposed that 2023 be dedicated to remembering the history of slavery in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands was one of the last countries in Europe to abolish slavery. Officially, slavery was abolished by the Netherlands on July 1, 1863, but in practice it continued for a further ten years. Slave labour was still carried out on plantations until 1873 under “special oversight” by the state.

That means that it will be 150 years since slavery was abolished in 2023. GroenLinks and D66 would like to see a year of commemoration in that year: they have suggested exhibitions, performances, debates and more attention in education and media as ways to do it.

“We can use that year to provide additional information and dialogue on the black page of slavery history,” said Rob Jetten, the chairman of the D66 group. “But also about how it affects our society in the field of racism.” For Jesse Klaver, the leader of GroenLinks, the year would be about recognising the history and moving forward together.

Today, there will be a debate in the House of Representatives on racism, which is when the two parties are planning to announce their proposal for 2023. Also today, the annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery will take place in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam. Because of coronavirus, no members of the public will be present.

Would you support a year dedicated to remembering the Netherlands’ history of slavery? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature Image: Francisco Anzola/Wikimedia Commons. Image is of Elmina Castle in Ghana, which the Dutch seized from the Portuguese in 1637 and used as a (slave) trading post until 1814. 

Ailish Lalor
Ailish Lalor
Ailish was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up by a forest in south-east Ireland, which she has attempted to replace with a living room filled with plants in The Hague. Besides catering to her army of pannenkoekenplantjes, Ailish spends her days convincing her friends that all food is better slightly burnt, plotting ways to hang out with dogs and cats, and of course, writing for DutchReview.

1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you for the article. This is a wonderful idea. I totally support that 2023 be dedicated to remembering the history of slavery in the Netherlands.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

VPNs in the Netherlands: The ultimate 2025 guide

The Netherlands’ fastest and most reliable VPNs enable you to protect your privacy online, access region-locked content, and securely browse the net. 🤳 Whether you’re...

7 ways Dutchies and Italians are more alike than you think

At first glance, Italians and the Dutch seem worlds apart, shaped by different histories, climates, and habits, but what’s less often explored is what...

Amsterdam officials tell people to avoid the city centre on King’s Day

Amsterdam’s got one royal request this King’s Day: keep the party local and don’t crush the canals. The city council is waving the orange flag...

It's happening