THE HAGUE - The Advisory Division of the Council of State has provided recommendations on the decision allowing descendants of enslaved individuals to change their surnames. The decision also outlines the temporary financing of this process. The advice was published today on the Council of State's website.
This draft decision is one of the government's initiatives to promote awareness and understanding of the history of slavery and contribute to its processing. In the colonial past, enslaved individuals were often assigned surnames. With this decision, adults carrying such surnames can change them without incurring fees. They only need to declare that they are descendants of enslaved individuals.
The Advisory Division supports the government's apologies for the colonial history of slavery and the proposed measure to enable surname changes for descendants of enslaved individuals. The government proposes to make surname changes for these descendants free for a period of five years. The Advisory Division recommends clarifying the conditions under which the funding for this scheme can be altered or discontinued beforehand. They suggest modifying or discontinuing funding only in the presence of significant criteria, such as widespread abuse.
Additionally, the Advisory Division calls for swift implementation in the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba). Although the regulation applies there, it will be phased in due to implementation issues. The Advisory Division advises including in the explanatory memorandum the intention to make this decision applicable as soon as possible in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands and addressing practical concerns.
Finally, changing a surname is not merely an administrative procedure; it can have social and psychological implications. The Advisory Division recommends that the government collaborate with relevant organizations and municipalities to provide guidance and support.