Samira Rafaela (D66) laid a wreath for the first time on behalf of the Tula commemoration on Curaçao. Every year on August 17, Curacao commemorates the revolt against slavery in Tula in 1795. Tula and other slaves fought against the Dutch colonialists, who eventually captured him and sentenced him to death. Tula was officially declared a national hero in Curaçao in 2010.
Samira Rafaela expresses her gratitude to the organization of Dia di lucha pa Libertat, Member of Parliament of Curaçao, Gwendell Mercelina and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. Laying a wreath on behalf of the European Parliament is a step forward for Samira to make the countries and islands more and more part of the European Union.
Samira; “The overseas countries and territories are part of the European family. We are known to recognize the impact of the slavery past. This fits with the current developments, where we are generating more and more awareness about the consequences of the slavery past. And this fits in with the European ambition to combat discrimination, unconscious prejudice and racism. I will continue to work to remain the voice of the Overseas Countries and Territories and translate it into actions, fair policies and fair legislation in the European Parliament.”
The slavery past has a huge impact on the daily lives of descendants and people of color. Institutional racism, (unconscious and conscious) prejudices that are perpetuated by a lack of self-reflection and diversity in politics and judiciary, are contemporary risks to the emancipation of people of color worldwide.
There is still a long way to go for a new generation in our Kingdom and Europe. Samira; “We must continue to raise awareness while the prejudices and obstacles have not yet been removed from our path. Let us learn from Tula that we should never ignore injustice. Tula rebelled against injustice against humanity. He demanded freedom and had to pay for it with his life. The message was that contradiction and reactions to injustice were not accepted.