WILLEMSTAD - In an interview with the NOS, Secretary of State Alexandra Van Huffelen of Kingdom Relations criticized the lengthy process it took to rehabilitate Tula, a historical hero of Curaçao. Until recently, he was still regarded as a criminal by the Netherlands.
"Tula has long been recognized as a hero in Curaçao, but in the Netherlands, we still referred to him as a criminal," Van Huffelen said. "Today, we have set that right." She also spoke about the justice of Tula's rebellion against slavery, which he carried out based on the principles of the French Revolution.
The interviewer pointed out that while the rehabilitation of Tula is a personal recognition, there are also state-level matters that need to be rectified. In response, Van Huffelen emphasized the Dutch government's apologies for the brutal system of slavery, describing it as a "crime against humanity."
The conversation then delved deeper into the historical wealth of the Netherlands, which was acquired at the expense of slaves in the Caribbean islands. Van Huffelen acknowledged that the current prosperity of the Netherlands is built on these dark foundations of colonialism and slavery. She stressed the importance of acknowledging and commemorating this history.
The Dutch government has recently allocated €200 million for a slavery museum and other educational initiatives. This includes scholarships and chairs at the universities of Aruba, Sint Maarten, and Curaçao. Van Huffelen sees this as a step in the right direction to better understand shared history and ensure that everyone knows what happened.
When asked if the Netherlands, given its geographical distance from the Caribbean islands, will also engage in this shared history, Van Huffelen responded affirmatively. She emphasized the need for the Netherlands to continue the discussion, considering the large diaspora of Caribbean Dutch citizens who still experience the effects of the history of slavery.
The interview highlighted the efforts of the Dutch government to address a painful past but also underscored the need to continue these discussions and go beyond symbolic gestures.