a.s.r. publishes research into the slavery past of its legal predecessors and offers apologies

The research, which was carried out at the request of a.s.r. between 2023 and 2026 by historical research agency Stad en Bedrijf, shows that its oldest legal predecessor, Stad Rotterdam, concluded a total of 236 insurance policies on 167 transports of enslaved people between 1720 and 1802. 

As an insurer, Stad Rotterdam enabled both large and small slave traders to limit their financial risks. In doing so, Stad Rotterdam facilitated the trade of enslaved people from Africa. This was not a matter of incidental involvement; the insurer was part of the system of slave trading and profited from the exploitation of enslaved people.

In addition, the research describes how other legal predecessors of a.s.r. were intertwined with the colonial system in what is now Indonesia. For example, four other legal predecessors were connected to the Cultivation System well into the nineteenth century. They were involved in the trade in opium and in forced labour at coffee and sugar locations.

Today, the report was presented by Stad en Bedrijf to CEO Ingrid de Swart and former CEO Jos Baeten  who commissioned the research at the time.

Ingrid de Swart, CEO a.s.r.: ‘The research provides insight into a painful chapter in our history. Our legal predecessors contributed to a system that inflicted severe injustice on so many people. a.s.r. offers its apologies for this. We face our past and take responsibility for its meaning in the present and the future. The publication of this research marks the starting point for further dialogue and research into how we can give meaningful substance to our apologies.’

In the coming period, a.s.r. will also organise several dialogue sessions with those involved. More information and the full research report are available on the website.