PARAMARIBO, Suriname–Opposition legislators have called on the government to rescind the decision to suspend two senior police officers, co-leaders of the Organic Movement that has been leading street protests here calling on the administration of President Chandrika Persad Santokhi to change its socio-economic policies or leave office.
Justice and Police Minister Kenneth Amoksi told the National Assembly on Tuesday night that police officers Raoul Hellings and Sergio Gentle were guilty of conduct and acts violating their oath of office, Police Charter, and the Criminal Code.
He said that based on reasonable suspicion of serious criminality or dereliction of duty, the two officers have been removed from office by the Chief of Police and that a disciplinary or criminal investigation will follow.
Amok told legislators that the police inspectors were unlawfully absent from duty and that their absence was not due to illness but rather due to participating in protest actions, for which no permit had been applied for.
He said furthermore, that those involved in the protests have been misusing official vehicles, while the service is deprived of these means of transport. These vehicles would also have been provided with fuel at the expense of the State.
The Justice and Police Minister further argued that failure to take measures against those involved would undermine the authority of the police force and encourage anarchy.
He said corrective action is therefore of enormous importance, outlining several possible charges that the two officers could face, including sedition and disturbance of public order.
The faction leader of the Aleene Bevrijdings-en Ontwikkelingspartij (ABOP), headed by Vice President Ronnie Brunswick and Pertjajah Luthur (PL) Obed Kanapé is supporting the Minister and expects law and justice to be applied in the investigation.
He said the armed forces must be examples of the rule of law.
Progressive Reform Party (VHP) leader Asis Gajadien said he had no problems with the explanation given by the Minister, adding that the rule of law must be protected regardless of who is involved.
But while supporters of the Organic Movement staged a protest outside the National Assembly demanding the return to work by the two police officers, members of the main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) were calling on President Santokhi to call for fresh general elections.
NDP member Melvin Bouvia (NDP) accused the State of acting dictatorially, and the action against the police officers “is a pure form of undermining the rights of citizens.
“The police officers are citizens with the right to make their voices heard. Reference is only made to police officers who allegedly acted contrary to the oath of office. Hellings and Gentle have stood up for the people as citizens and have indicated with the protest what is going wrong in the country. “
Bova said that the Constitution is above the Police Charter and that police, fire brigade, and teachers can express their opinions without resentment.
“If something is wrong, the employer should talk to the employee about it, but rancor is applied here,” he told the National Assembly, calling on President Santokhi to call fresh elections.
Another NDP member, Rabin Parmessar, said he was surprised at the suspension of the officers, given that on July 25, police officers had been involved in a fracas with civilians.
“No one was fired during the investigation. Ex-minister Diana Pokier was removed from office, but nothing more has been heard about the investigation. At Finance & Planning, SRD$60 million is lost, but the Minister has not been put out of office. There is no consistent behavior; it is pure rancor,” said Parmesan.
Assemblymember, Edward Belfort, like his NDP colleague, said that while Gentle and Hellings should never stand up to a President, they acted because “you (Santokhi) are not listening anymore.
“Mr. Santokhi should call new elections as he said, 2025 or sooner. Then there are new drivers. Otherwise, we will continue like this. If we’re not careful, it could get worse than Haiti. It is not good!”
Leader of the Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Ronny Sabina, questioned the decision to remove the officers from active duty.
He said he is also concerned that the Police and Justice Minister has threatened to extend the suspension of the police officers.
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