'Historical justice': Dutch PM makes formal apology to Moluccans (opens in new tab)

Many Moluccans, from the so-called "spice islands" in eastern Indonesia, fought for the Dutch colonial army during the post-World War II struggle for independence. After Indonesia gained independence in 1949, around 12,500 Moluccans were brought to the Netherlands in a state-organised transfer to escape reprisals. They were supposed to stay only briefly before returning to an independent country, as part of negotiations at the time between the Dutch government and Indonesia. However, the Dutc...