Netherlands Publishes Names of 425,000 Suspected Nazi Collaborators
The names of approximately 425,000 individuals suspected of collaborating with the Nazis during the German occupation of the Netherlands have been published online, for the first time, by the Dutch National Archives. This database, stemming from investigations by the Special Jurisdiction (1944), includes suspects’ names, birthdates, and locations, but omits details of guilt or the nature of alleged collaboration; access to those specifics requires visiting the physical archives. While concerns regarding privacy and potential negative reactions were considered, the government believes this increased accessibility is crucial for confronting the nation’s difficult past.
John Q. Hosedrinker