CNN —Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Saturday apologized for the Netherlands’ historic involvement in slavery and the effects that it still has today. “On this day that we remember the Dutch history of slavery, I ask forgiveness for this crime against humanity,” he said. Spectators react after King Willem-Alexander apologized for the royal house's role in slavery at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery by the Netherlands on Saturday. The apology comes amid a wider reconsideration of the Netherlands’ colonial past, including involvement in both the Atlantic slave trade and slavery in its former Asian colonies. Willem-Alexander apologized in Indonesia in 2020 for “excessive violence” during Dutch colonial rule.

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Persons: King Willem, Alexander, ”, Koti, Peter Dejong, Willem, Mark Rutte, Rutte, Orange Organizations: CNN, Royal House, Royal Locations: Netherlands, Caribbean, Amsterdam’s Oosterpark, Indonesia, East India