The Dutch National Archives has made history by releasing the names of approximately 425,000 individuals implicated in collaboration with the Nazis during the German occupation of the Netherlands. This online database is the first of its kind, allowing public access to records that detail investigations conducted through a specialized legal framework established in the latter part of World War II. Out of those listed, more than 150,000 faced various forms of punishment.
Previously, these crucial historical documents could only be accessed in person at the Dutch National Archives located in The Hague. The Huygens Institute, responsible for digitizing this vital archive, emphasizes its significance, saying, "This archive contains important stories for both present and future generations." It caters to a wide array of researchers, from children seeking to uncover their family's wartime involvement to historians examining the nuances of collaboration during a tumultuous period.
The database encompasses files on numerous individuals, including war criminals, around 20,000 Dutch citizens who served in the German armed forces, and alleged members of the National Socialist Movement (NSB), the Dutch Nazi political party. Interestingly, the archive also documents those who were ultimately exonerated. These files stem from the Special Jurisdiction established in 1944 to assess suspected collaborators.
Although the online resource provides names, birth dates, and birthplaces of the suspects, it stops short of indicating individual guilt or the specific nature of their alleged collaboration. Users can inquire about a specific person's file in person at the National Archives, where access requires a stated legitimate interest.
The release has raised alarm bells among many in the Netherlands, as concerns about revealing sensitive personal histories have amplified. Rinke Smedinga, whose father was an NSB member, voiced apprehension about potential backlash against relatives of collaborators. Tom De Smet, director of the National Archives, recognized that the ramifications of collaboration still weigh heavily on society and expressed hopes that increased openness could pave the way for discussion and healing.
Culture Minister Eppo Bruins echoed these sentiments in a letter to parliament, underlining the importance of archival openness for processing the difficult collective past. While acknowledging privacy concerns, Bruins expressed a desire to amend laws to permit broader public access to these records. Currently, names of living individuals are not included on the online platform, reflecting the dual importance of historical transparency and the sensitivity surrounding personal information.
