PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – Government legislators have condemned last Friday’s storming of the National Assembly, with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi reiterating that those involved in the action are being tracked down and will be brought to justice.
“All institutions of the rule of law are functioning. The home of democracy has been attacked, but democracy is functioning,” President Santokhi said as legislators resumed debate on the budget interrupted by the last weekend disturbances that resulted in several people injured and more than 100 others arrested.
Thousands of demonstrators had descended on the capital, protesting the government’s policies, including removing subsidies on several items, including hydro and thermal energy, which the government said would save approximately US$10.9 million annually.
Natural Resources Minister David Abiamofo said that new electricity tariffs, introduced in 2021, would be phased out in three phases within two years.
Assembly President, Marinus Bee, likened the storming of the Assembly to a tropical storm that swept through the building, saying that no rest period will be introduced and that the budget debate will continue.
Vice President Dew Sharman noted that any action must be within law and order, adding that the attack on the ‘House of the People’ cannot be justified.
While supporting the protest, several legislators and opposition parties have condemned the looting and violence that followed, adding that such scenes must never be repeated.
“Citizens have the democratic right to express their dissatisfaction because of the deteriorating living conditions of large parts of society. Suriname is almost no longer liveable. We are sliding down daily,” said Rabin Parmessar, the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in the Parliament.
“Since the start of this government, there have been various friendly protests. However, it appears that the government does not pay enough attention to the needs of the people. Until the eve of the announced protest, a further fuel increase was mercilessly pushed through,” he added.
Parmessa has also called for a thorough investigation into the police’s actions against party member Ebu Jones, even though the government maintained that law enforcement agencies had appropriately handled the protest.
“On the contrary, civilians were fired with great force, and tear gas was released,” Parmessar said.
Santokhi said that the protest organizers had been informed beforehand that they would have been allowed to engage in peaceful protest.
But he said that the investigations so far have shown that this was not the case, and as a result, all individuals involved in the “escalation” will be held accountable.
He said calm has now returned, the government is guaranteeing the safety of the citizens, and the dialogue with various social groups will be intensified.
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