WILLEMSTAD - The April Murders is a significant event in the history of Curaçao, and every year, on April 20, it is remembered to honor the victims. It has been 81 years since fifteen Chinese sailors were killed by military police on this day in 1942. The Chinese workers were employed by the Curaçaosche Scheepvaart Maatschappij, which was a subsidiary of the former Shell company.
The incident occurred after more than 400 workers went on strike on February 24, 1942. The workers were dissatisfied with the hazardous working conditions, the low wages, and the lack of protection against the threat of war from Germany. The strike quickly turned violent, leading to the deployment of the military police to restore order.
On April 20, 1942, fifteen striking Chinese sailors were shot dead by the military police. The victims were buried in an anonymous grave at Kolebra Bèrdè alongside criminals, vagrants, prostitutes, and infidels. This sparked outrage and a wave of protests across the island, and the incident is still remembered as a black day in Curaçao's history.
To remember the victims and raise awareness about the event's significance, the Rehabilitation War Victims Foundation commemorates April 20 each year. The day is a reminder of the importance of fighting for workers' rights and the struggle against oppression and injustice.