Dutch Central Bank Apologizes for Historical Links to Slavery

The Dutch Central Bank apologized for its role in the Atlantic slave trade and pledged to support initiatives that aim to reduce the repercussions of the legacy of slavery.

European Central Bank Governing Council member Klaas Knot, who is also president of the bank, addressed his apology to the descendants of enslaved people in the Netherlands during the annual Keti Koti celebration that commemorates the abolition of slavery.

The bank pledged to set up a fund to finance projects worth 5 million euros ($5.2 million) over the next 10 years in the Netherlands, Suriname and the Caribbean. It also ...