Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

The dialogue centered on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, with the Committee expressing concerns over the exploitation of natural resources, particularly through mining, and its adverse effects on these communities. The case of Pikin Saron, where unrest in 2023 over land rights resulted in the deaths of two men, was cited as a concerning development. The Committee questioned the legislative and policy measures in place to recognize and protect the collective land and resource rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, as well as their involvement in decision-making processes. They highlighted the importance of informed consent and consultation, particularly in the planning and monitoring of extractive activities. The Surinamese delegation responded by discussing awareness-raising activities and stakeholder meetings aimed at incorporating the views and needs of these communities into national policies and legislative frameworks. The lack of detailed follow-through on how these initiatives have improved the lives of indigenous and tribal peoples left questions about the delegation's commitment to moving beyond rhetoric to real, impactful change. On the topic of Pikin Saron, the delegation stressed that crimes were committed by the protestors and the government will respect whatever the court decides.

Institutional and legal framework

Delegation of Suriname in Palais Wilson, Geneva.

The Human Rights Committee's dialogue with Suriname also prominently focused on the adequacy of the legal frameworks in place. Specifically, questions were posed regarding the pending creation of the National Human Rights Institute (NHRI), recent rulings of the Constitutional Court and the government's plans to ensure that national laws do not conflict with the rights protected under the ICCPR. In response, the delegation affirmed the establishment of mechanisms for judicial officers to familiarize themselves with international human rights standards and reiterated their commitment to uphold constitutional protections and international human rights treaties. Furthermore, the delegation responded by sharing that the draft law to create the NHRI takes into account the Paris Principles and that a wide array of stakeholders were consulted in the process of creating the draft law and their feedback was incorporated. As the NHRI is not yet operational despite being launched in 2016, the delegation spoke more about plans and intentions rather than presenting tangible evidence of progress.

Gender Equality and Protection Against Discrimination

Gender equality and the protection against discrimination were also significant themes in the dialogue. The Committee inquired about the measures taken to combat gender-based violence, ensure equal treatment, and address discriminatory stereotypes in society and within the family. They were particularly interested in the enforcement of laws against domestic violence, the support services available to victims, and the public awareness initiatives in place. The Committee also sought information on the steps taken to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination and violence and ease the barriers to achieving legal recognition of gender identity. The Surinamese delegation responded by outlining the provisions of the 2022 laws on equal treatment in employment and combating violence and sexual harassment in the workplace. They described the inclusion of gender topics in educational curricula and training programs for law enforcement officers. The delegation also acknowledged the challenges in establishing additional shelters for victims of domestic violence but highlighted the role of NGOs in providing these critical services. While the delegation reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating gender discrimination and supporting vulnerable groups through comprehensive legal and policy measures, but the overall response suggested a strong legislative framework on paper but revealed a concerning gap in effective implementation and real-world outcomes.

Watch the dialogue again here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Disclaimer: Transcripts of the dialogue available here powered by WIPO Speech-to-Text served as the main source of the presented article, which was generated with AI support. While all the information was carefully checked, please refer to the audio or UN WebTV for an official version of the dialogue. 

Recommendations of the Human Rights Committee

The concluding observations on Suriname’s fourth periodic report were released on July 25, 2024. The State party is requested to provide, by July 25, 2027, information on the following recommendations:

Fight against impunity and past human rights violations

The State party should:

(a) Ensure accountability for all serious human rights violations that occurred during the de facto military regime (1980-1991) (...);

(b) Ensure that investigations and prosecutions of past human rights violations are conducted according to international standards, specifically the Istanbul Protocol (...);

(c) Take all necessary measures to ensure the enforcement of all sentences imposed in the context of the ‘December 1982 murders’ trial;

(d) Ensure that all victims of past human rights violations and their families receive full reparation (...);

(e) Ensure the effective protection of witnesses including by establishing a comprehensive witness protection framework (...).

Liberty and security of person

The State party should:

(a) Establish an effective bail system and guarantee enjoyment of the right to bail for those entitled to it (...)

(b) Increase the availability of and recourse to alternatives to pretrial detention in accordance with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non ‑ custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules);

(c) Establish systematic judicial monitoring of the duration of pretrial detention;

(d) Ensure that the juvenile justice system takes into consideration the specific needs of children in conflict with the law (...).

Rights of persons belonging to minorities

Echoing the Concluding observations adopted by the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and recalling the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Committee calls on the State party to:

(a) Expedite the adoption (...) of the draft law on the collective rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples and the demarcation of their lands (...);

(b) Ensure that no State-held land which is claimed by Indigenous and tribal peoples is sold or leased to private actors (...);

(c) Adopt measures to ensure meaningful consultation with Indigenous and tribal peoples on any current or future projects (...);

(d) Take measures to ensure restitution to Indigenous and tribal peoples of their traditional lands, territories and resources which have been confiscated (...);

(e) Ensure the full implementation of judgments of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples.

Here you can find all the recommendations given by the Committee in the Concluding Observations.

The follow-up report of Suriname on the implementation of recommendations is due in 2027. The next list of issues will be adopted in 2030, and the next periodic report is due in 2031.