Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten formally apologized on Sunday for the long-standing mistreatment of the Moluccan community in the Netherlands following Indonesia’s independence. The apology was delivered during a ceremony in Rotterdam, where Jetten unveiled a monument commemorating this chapter of Dutch history.

The Moluccan people, originating from the “spice islands” in eastern Indonesia, were closely linked to the Dutch colonial regime as many fought in the colonial army during the struggle for Indonesian independence after World War II. In 1949, around 12,500 Moluccans were relocated to the Netherlands as part of a state-organized effort designed to protect them from possible reprisals in the newly independent Indonesia.

At the time, the transfer was intended to be temporary. Dutch authorities and Indonesia had agreed that the Moluccans would eventually return to an independent homeland. However, the Netherlands did not fulfill this commitment. Instead, the Moluccans were settled in poor living conditions, facing neglect and limited efforts toward their integration into Dutch society. Employment opportunities were scarce, and the community often felt overlooked and isolated.

In his address, Jetten acknowledged the hardships endured by the Moluccans and the failure of the Dutch government to properly support them. “For the inadequate reception and housing. For being unseen and abandoned. For the unfulfilled longing for home,” Jetten said, urging recognition of the injustice. He emphasized that while a formal apology cannot undo the past or the consequences that persist today, it represents an important step toward acknowledgment and historical justice.

Many in the audience, including descendants of the first-generation Moluccans, attended the event holding photographs of relatives who experienced the initial relocation. The apology marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about the Netherlands’ colonial legacy and its responsibilities toward communities affected by it.