**Online Database Lists 425,000 Suspected Nazi Collaborators in the Netherlands**

The recent release of names has sparked discussions about the Dutch past and its implications for modern society.

The National Archives of the Netherlands has launched an online archive featuring the names of approximately 425,000 individuals suspected of collaborating with the Nazis during the German occupation, a period spanning from 1940 to 1945. This remarkable digital resource comes after years of restriction, as the full records were previously only available in-person at the National Archives in The Hague.

This initiative was facilitated by the Huygens Institute, which emphasized the importance of making these archival documents accessible, stating that they hold significant relevance for upcoming generations as well as historians. Within the detailed records, users can find information about war criminals, about 20,000 Dutch citizens who served in the German military, and members of the National Socialist Movement, known as NSB. Notably, the archive also includes names of individuals who were ultimately deemed innocent of collaboration.

The database provides only the names of suspected collaborators along with their birth dates and locations, which can be searchable through specific details. However, it does not disclose the outcomes of these investigations regarding guilt or the exact nature of suspected collaboration. Users who wish to learn more must visit the National Archives to access detailed files, requiring them to demonstrate legitimate interest.

While this online unveiling has been hailed as progress, it has also raised concerns about privacy and sensitivity surrounding a tumultuous historical period. Some, like Rinke Smedinga, whose father was affiliated with the NSB, fear backlash when such familial connections are publicly unveiled.

Tom De Smet, the director of the National Archives, recognized the sensitive nature of the information, stressing the need to consider the emotions of relatives of both collaborators and victims. He expressed hope that by opening these archives, societal taboos surrounding collaboration history would begin to dissolve.

Furthermore, Culture Minister Eppo Bruins underscored the significance of transparency in tackling the lingering effects of the Netherlands' complex history. Although some restrictions on the data persist due to privacy concerns, the Minister aims to amend existing laws to eventually allow for broader public access to sensitive historical data.

Currently, the online database refrains from listing individuals believed to be alive to protect their privacy. However, the national dialogue on collaboration during the occupation is poised for evolution through this unprecedented availability of historical records.