Around 425,000 names of individuals suspected of Nazi collaboration during the German occupation of the Netherlands have been digitized and published online for public access.
**Database of 425,000 Suspected Nazi Collaborators Made Public**
**Database of 425,000 Suspected Nazi Collaborators Made Public**
The Dutch government highlights transparency as it releases archives from World War II.
The Dutch National Archives has unveiled an extensive online database containing the names of approximately 425,000 individuals suspected of collaborating with the Nazis during Germany's occupation of the Netherlands from 1940 to 1945. This significant step allows researchers and descendants access to information that was previously only obtainable at the National Archives in The Hague.
The archival records, digitized with the assistance of the Huygens Institute, encompass files from a legal system established in 1944 to investigate alleged collaborators. Of those named, over 150,000 individuals faced various forms of sanctions, while some were ultimately cleared of wrongdoing. This resource is expected to aid not only historians but also family members interested in uncovering details about their relatives' actions during a tumultuous period.
While the database comprises names and basic birth details of suspects, it does not clarify whether individuals were found guilty or the nature of their alleged collaboration. Users can request additional information regarding specific cases but must declare a legitimate interest to access the physical files.
Concerns surrounding privacy and potential backlash have surfaced since the publication of these sensitive records. Rinke Smedinga, whose father was associated with the NSB, cautioned against the risks of public exposure, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of how this information is released.
Director of the National Archives, Tom De Smet, recognizes the delicate balance of addressing the past while serving the needs of both collaborators' descendants and those affected by the occupation. Culture Minister Eppo Bruins has expressed a commitment to increasing access to these historical documents to encourage societal healing regarding this challenging chapter in the Netherlands' history.
Initially launched with limited information due to privacy issues, the online database allows public access to names while striving to respect those who may still be living. The government aims to open discussions and alleviate the stigmas that have long surrounded the topic of collaboration during World War II.
The archival records, digitized with the assistance of the Huygens Institute, encompass files from a legal system established in 1944 to investigate alleged collaborators. Of those named, over 150,000 individuals faced various forms of sanctions, while some were ultimately cleared of wrongdoing. This resource is expected to aid not only historians but also family members interested in uncovering details about their relatives' actions during a tumultuous period.
While the database comprises names and basic birth details of suspects, it does not clarify whether individuals were found guilty or the nature of their alleged collaboration. Users can request additional information regarding specific cases but must declare a legitimate interest to access the physical files.
Concerns surrounding privacy and potential backlash have surfaced since the publication of these sensitive records. Rinke Smedinga, whose father was associated with the NSB, cautioned against the risks of public exposure, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of how this information is released.
Director of the National Archives, Tom De Smet, recognizes the delicate balance of addressing the past while serving the needs of both collaborators' descendants and those affected by the occupation. Culture Minister Eppo Bruins has expressed a commitment to increasing access to these historical documents to encourage societal healing regarding this challenging chapter in the Netherlands' history.
Initially launched with limited information due to privacy issues, the online database allows public access to names while striving to respect those who may still be living. The government aims to open discussions and alleviate the stigmas that have long surrounded the topic of collaboration during World War II.
