Apologising for slavery will not help

Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende did not make an official apology for slavery during his recent visit to the former Dutch colony of Suriname. According to the Dutch daily Trouw, he was "quite right" not to do so. "The discussion about this is basically unproductive because it is not clear what sensible moral purpose this would fulfil. What is more important is that the Dutch, the Surinamese and the Surinamese Dutch are aware of their common history and jointly commemorate the abolishment of slavery in 1863. ... This was the real break with the indifference that defined the Dutch stance for many years. This new awareness ... can now act as a counterweight to populist politicians who think we can simply ignore our moral and legal obligations regarding former colonies. ... After all, an apology can also have the opposite effect of making a break with the past. Now more than ever it is important ... to keep the memory of the past alive."

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