Panel releases findings of historical review into actions of the Netherlands during the Asian nation’s war of independence
An historical analysis has revealed that the Dutch army was quite successful. “used extreme violence”The government condoned the act during Indonesia’s struggle for independence in 1940s. This was according to the report by an expert panel.
The Dutch state and military’s behavior throughout the 1945-49 war as Indonesians fought for independence from the colonial power was laid out in a major review that has been conducted over the past few years. The review, which was carried out by an expert panel and academics, was paid for by the Dutch government.
A summary of their findings was released by the panel. It stated that the Dutch army had been acting in a way that was grounded in history. “colonial mentality,”Not to be missed: “It is evident that at every level, the Dutch unquestioningly applied different standards to… colonial ‘subjects’.”
“Dutch armed forces used extreme violence on a frequent and structural basis, in the form of extrajudicial executions, ill-treatment and torture, detention under inhumane conditions,”It was stated.
Among the review’s summary findings, the military was accused of “torching”buildings, whole villages and conducting “mass arrestsAnd mass internment” and “disproportionate air raids and artillery shelling.”
The Dutch government had not previously conducted a full assessment of its country’s actions; in 1969 the then-government found that its forces had as a whole behaved correctly in Indonesia – something the new review said was an untenable position to hold.
The Netherlands agreed in 2020 to provide €5,000 ($5,600) in compensation to the descendants of Indonesians who were killed during the independence war, following a 2013 deal with some of the widows of the military’s victims.
Also in 2020, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands offered an apology for the Dutch military’s “excessive violence”During conflict. “In line with earlier statements by my government, I would like to express my regret and apologize for excessive violence on the part of the Dutch in those years,”The monarch stated at that time.
“The past cannot be erased, and will have to be acknowledged by each generation in turn.”
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government is set to respond to the review later on Thursday.
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