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 were used as a the main source of information to produce this article. It was drafted with the assistance of AI. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the content, please verify the information on UN WebTV.