How Europe wants to come clean with its colonial past | DW News

Germany has handed historical artifacts back to Nigeria that had been looted and sold by the British. Although Germany is the first country to start returning the Benin bronzes, many say it still has to do more to tackle its colonial legacy.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte delivered a speech on Monday formally apologizing for his country's historical role in slavery and its consequences into the present day. He also said that slavery must be recognized in "the clearest terms" as "a crime against humanity." According to Rutte, the government will establish a fund for initiatives that will help tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies. The move marked a U-turn for the Dutch prime minister, who had previously refused to deliver the apology, arguing that it would start a "polarizing" debate in the Netherlands.

Some groups and affected countries have criticized the move, saying they were not consulted by the Netherlands about this. Activist groups in the Netherlands said the apology should have been delivered on July 1 instead — on the annual celebration of "Keti Koti," or Breaking the Chains in Surinamese, marking the anniversary of the abolition of slavery 160 years ago.

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