Dutch PM apologises for Netherlands’ role in slave trade

Mark Rutte says Dutch state enabled, encouraged and profited from slavery' for centuries

Mark Rutte has offered a formal apology on behalf of the Dutch state for the Netherlands' historical role in the slave trade, saying slavery must be recognised in the clearest terms" as a crime against humanity.

In a speech at the national archives in The Hague on Monday, the Dutch prime minister acknowledged the past cannot be erased, only faced up to". But for centuries, he said, the Dutch state had enabled, encouraged and profited from slavery".