The Dutch government is engaged in discussions with employers and key stakeholders about the possibility of designating July 1—known as Keti Koti—as an official national public holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands.
The annual observance, also referred to as Dag der Vrijheden (Day of Freedoms), marks the 1863 abolition of slavery in Suriname and the former Dutch Antilles. The proposal is gaining renewed momentum amid ongoing efforts to acknowledge and address the country’s colonial past.
Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Judith Uitermark confirmed that the Commemoration Committee for Slavery Past is currently in talks with Dutch employers to evaluate whether July 1 can be formally recognized as a public holiday.
“The government can designate the day as a national holiday,” Uitermark said during a parliamentary debate on the Netherlands’ historical responsibility for slavery. “However, days off are not legally mandated; it is ultimately up to employers to decide whether to grant leave.” She noted that some companies already allow their employees to take the day off to observe Keti Koti.
The push for formal recognition has been building for years, with support growing among various political parties and municipalities. The initiative has gained additional traction following the United States’ designation of Juneteenth—a similar commemoration of the end of slavery—as a federal holiday in 2021.
Parties including D66, GroenLinks-PvdA, and DENK have voiced support for making July 1 a national holiday. Member of Parliament Stephan van Baarle (DENK) criticized the protracted nature of the debate, urging the government to act swiftly.
“This conversation has gone on long enough,” Van Baarle said. “It’s time for a decision.”
If adopted, Keti Koti would become a formal part of the Dutch national calendar, offering a moment of collective reflection on the nation’s involvement in slavery and a celebration of freedom and resilience.
