Dutch PM Mark Rutte speaks on the impact of slavery as he ends official visit to Suriname

Prime Minister of The Netherlands, Mark Rutte has ended a two-day official visit to Suriname after indicating that he used the visit to learn more about the social impact of slavery on the Dutch-speaking country.

“Recognition is the beginning of our present. I hope to learn more about the social impact of this visit. I want to hear first-hand what the slavery past means today for the different population groups in Suriname,” said Rutte.

Rutte told the National Assembly that slavery was an inhumane system and there was need to recognize the system more than 150 years later.

“Recognition of the horrible suffering inflicted on the enslaved, acknowledgment of the struggle and resistance that there was and of course recognition of the social impact of the period of slavery in our present,” said Rutte.

“I want to understand the impact of the past so that the recognition that needs to come can be as healing and reconciling as possible. That is my wish and that of the entire Dutch government,” said Rutte.

- Advertisement -

National Assembly chairman, Marinus Bee, in his speech said slavery remains a thorny point with the Kingdom of the Netherlands still failing to make an official apology for the suffering caused by history.

Bee pointed out that, despite the end of the colonial era, Suriname is treated almost like a stepmother when trying to enter the Netherlands.

“It seems nowadays more the rule than the exception that Surinamese are arbitrarily denied entry into Dutch territory without giving a thorough reason for rejecting the required visas for the Schengen area,” said Bee, adding that Parliament cannot escape the impression that the criteria used in the allocation agreement are of no added value in contemporary decision-making.

Rutte said the relationship between the Netherlands and Suriname has been disrupted at government level for too long and that a delegation of private sector officials underlines his desire to improve relations between the two countries.

“We work together and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

In recent years, the Netherlands and Suriname have been working together through the Makandra program in which various projects are carried out in Suriname.

Mark Rutte told the National assembly that the budget will be increased by four million Euros to ten million expanding programs in education and water management.

“In this way, we give substance to the renewed bilateral relationship with each other,” Rutte stated.

CMC/

 

More Stories

Vishnu Dhanpaul Trinidad cabinet

New Trinidad PM Stuart Young announces new cabinet appointments

Newly-appointed Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Stuart Young has unveiled his Cabinet, introducing several new appointments while retaining many key ministers. The official announcement...
Bahamas Health Minister

Bahamas Health Minister defends Cuban health workers amid US criticism

Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville has defended the presence of Cuban health workers in The Bahamas, emphasizing their crucial role in the country’s optometry...
Trinidad Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley

Dr. Keith Rowley calls for Trinidad to leave Privy Council in final address as PM

Former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley used his final address in office to make a passionate case for Trinidad and Tobago’s exit from the...
Stuart Young

Stuart Young sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago’s 8th Prime Minister

In a historic ceremony at the President's House this morning, Stuart Young was sworn in as the 8th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago,...
Horace Chang Jamaica

Jamaica on track for historic low murder rate, says Minister Chang

Jamaica could be on track to record fewer than 1,000 murders in a single year for the first time in recent history, as the...
Guyana G7

G7 condemns Venezuela’s naval threats against Guyana

The G7 nations have issued a strong rebuke to Venezuela over its continued naval incursions into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), calling them “unacceptable”...
Audrey Marks, Delano Seiveright

Senators Audrey Marks, Delano Seiveright appointed to ministerial roles

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has appointed two newly sworn-in government senators, Audrey Marks and Delano Seiveright, to ministerial positions, reinforcing his Administration’s focus...
Antigua and Barbuda says it will accept nationals deported from the US

Antigua and Barbuda seeks clarification on draft US travel ban proposal

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally sought clarification from the United States following reports that the Caribbean nation could be among the...
Andrew Holness

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness hints at election announcement ‘very soon’

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hinted that the countdown to general elections has begun, telling supporters that “every Jamaican will be called upon...
Marco Rubio

US applauds Belize’s democratic elections, pledges continued partnership

The United States has congratulated Prime Minister John Briceño on his re-election, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Belize. In an official statement,...

Latest Articles

Skip to content