THE HAGUE - Apologies for the slavery past only have value if they are expressed unconditionally. This is according to the chairman of political party Ubuntu Connected Front UCF says in an open letter to the Dutch government.
Regillio Vaarnold writes in it that unconditional means: apologies without limitations for reparation. Apologies without ethical, historical, educational, financial, socio-economic or cultural redress are not apologies,” said human rights lawyer Vaarnold.
In the letter, he points out that slavery and the slave trade have been labeled a crime against humanity by the United Nations and that without remedial measures, including reparations, racism against citizens of African descent will continue.
According to Vaarnold, the current government and the cabinet have often enough been reminded of the importance of reparation and are jointly responsible for perpetuating the negative impact of the slavery past on the African diaspora community.
With the letter, UCF wants to make it clear to the Dutch government that it will have to take more time to make the intention to apologize for all parties involved in the spirit of Ubuntu a success.