The Dutch government has no plans to commission a new investigation into the Indonesian struggle for independence between 1945 and 1949, foreign minister Uri Rosenthal has told MPs.

In June, three renowned academic institutes called for new research into Dutch military involvement in former Dutch Indonesia. In particular, it is vital the researchers use Indonesian as well as Dutch archives, the three organisations say. Indonesia, a former Dutch colony, finally won independence in 1949 after a bloody struggle.
The institutes’ call followed the publication of two photographs showing an execution in Indonesia. Until now, no pictorial evidence of Dutch atrocities committed in the former colony has ever surfaced.
‘Of course the institutes are free to … study the use of violence during the decolonisation period,’ Rosenthal said in his briefing. The institutes have facilities and budgets to do so, he said, adding that ‘we see no role for the cabinet in shaping, managing or leading [this project].’