Netherlands unveils 425,000 names in digital WWII Nazi collaboration database

The Netherlands has unveiled a new digital database containing the names of approximately 425,000 Dutch individuals suspected of collaborating with Nazi forces during the country's occupation in World War II.

This unprecedented public release is part of the "War in Court" project, which makes available records that were once confined to researchers visiting the Dutch National Archives in The Hague, Caliber.Az reports via Euronewss.

The database lists citizens who were investigated for their alleged involvement with the German occupying forces and includes records of over 150,000 people who were tried in court and received some form of punishment.

The digital archive, made possible by a project led by the Huygens Institute and supported by the Dutch Ministries of Justice, Education, and Health, offers a significant step towards preserving and expanding access to this important historical data.

"This archive contains vital stories for both the present and future generations," said the Huygens Institute in a statement. "Without digital access, this archive remains hidden for many, especially younger generations. Easy and broad access will keep this important archive alive and allow us to continue learning from the past."

The database includes files on individuals who were convicted of collaborating, as well as those who joined the German armed forces, around 20,000 Dutch citizens in total. It also lists members of the National Socialist Movement (NSB), the country's largest pro-Nazi political party led by Anton Mussert. Interestingly, the archive also contains names of individuals who were cleared of charges after investigation.

Despite concerns about privacy and data protection under the European Union's GDPR, the Dutch Data Protection Authority has confirmed that the regulation does not apply to individuals who are deceased, the majority of those listed in the archive. However, it cautioned that some of the files may still contain sensitive personal information, including religious affiliations and political beliefs.

The database serves as a sobering reminder of the Dutch experience under Nazi occupation, which began in 1940 and ended with the Allied liberation in 1945.

Over 100,000 Dutch Jews perished in the Holocaust, and the new project highlights the ongoing importance of remembering this dark chapter in history.

A 2023 survey by Claims Conference revealed that a disturbing 25% of Dutch Generation Z views the Holocaust as a myth, and 53% of Dutch citizens failed to recognize their country as a Holocaust site. However, 77% of the population affirmed the importance of Holocaust education and remembrance.

By Tamilla Hasanova