Santokhi Says 200 Million Euros Promised by Dutch is Not an End to Reparations Process
PARAMARIBO, Suriname – President Chandrikapersad Santokhi says the Euro 200 million (One Euro-US$1.29 cents) promised by the Dutch government to finance social initiatives for its role in the slave trade in Suriname should not be regarded as the end of the process.
President Santokhi (Right) and Prime Minister Mark Rutte holding talks on the sidelines of the EU-CELAC summitSantokhi who met with outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the just concluded European Union-Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (EI-CLLAC) in Brussels, said “this is just part of the slavery past.
“Soon the colonial past need to be addressed. We also have the indigenous people and also the descendants of the indentured workers,” he added.
He said during the brief meeting with Rutte, they discussed in particular the continuation of the bilateral relationship after the changed political situation in the Netherlands.
“The relationship between the two countries will continue undisturbed,” said President Santokhi underscoring the “fruitful and bilateral” cooperation with the Netherlands aimed at maintaining Suriname’s democracy, security and socio-economic progress.
“The relationship between Suriname and the Netherlands is one that we should all give further substance to,” he added.
Referring to the formal apologies of King Willem-Alexander on July 1 for his country’s role in the slave trade, Santokhi said “the Netherlands has been a trendsetter.
“I hope other countries will follow,” he said, noting that behind the apology “there is another comma."
“I think it is a whole journey that will not end at the 200 million euros with reparations being a part.” Santokhi said, adding that King Willem-Alexander has been invited to visit the Caribbean country adding “hopefully he will be present on July 1 next year.”
The Declaration issued after the two-day EU-CELAC summit on Tuesday, noted that “we acknowledge and profoundly regret the untold suffering inflicted on millions of men, women and children as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
“We underline our full support to the related principles and elements contained in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, including the acknowledgment that slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, were appalling tragedies in the history of humanity not only because of their abhorrent barbarism but also in terms of their magnitude, organized nature and especially their negation of the essence of the victims, and that slavery and the slave trade are a crime against humanity. CELAC referred to the CARICOM ten point Plan for Reparatory Justice,” it added.
Santokhi said that the meeting with Prime Minister Rutte, they discussed the offers and the apologies made by King Willem-Alexander including the Makandra project through which the Netherlands provide technical assistance to Suriname.
Santokhi said in the coming days, discussions will also be held with Dutch authorities regarding the problems passengers have when travelling to Suriname via the Netherlands.
