SURINAME-President Santokhi says the government will act within the rule of law.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi says his government will not anticipate matters and will act by the rule of law and principles of good governance as the country awaits whether or not former President and military strongman Desi Bouterse would be granted a pardon.

On December 20, the Court of Justice dismissed Bouterse’s appeal against a 20-year jail term for his involvement in the murder of 15 men on December 8, 1982.

Bouterse, the then commander of the Surinamese National Army (SNA) and de facto head of government at the time of the murders, was the main suspect. The other suspects, Ernst Gefferie, Iwan Dijksteel, Stephanus Dendoe, and Benny Brondenstein, were each sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The lawyer of the five men, all ex-army officers, formally informed the Public Prosecution Service that they were considering asking for clemency from the President of Suriname.

Responding to a statement made by Bouterse on a radio program late Thursday that discussions are being held for a ‘soft landing’ and that he is not yet sure whether he will apply for a pardon, Santokhi said that he does not have a primary role in the execution of the sentence.

In a statement, the Office of the President said that by the legal provisions, this authority lies with the Public Prosecution Service, which will take charge of the implementation, considering the applicable legal provisions.

The statement said, “It must also be clear that the government cannot ignore the ruling of the independent judge or enter into ‘negotiations’ about it.”

“About any request for pardon by the convicts, the President has yet to be informed by the Public Prosecution Service. The government will not comment on speculation about this or public statements made through the media.

“The verdict handed down on December 20 in a case where serious human rights violations took place 41 years ago is keeping society busy and for understandable reasons. The government will handle all aspects related to this matter with care and calls on all to await the actions of the authorities designated by law with calm and patience,” the statement said.

It said that the verdict has been handed down, and the “government will share its insights with the Public Prosecution Service regarding the eventual detention of the convicts and the associated security measures.

“The government will not anticipate matters and will act by the rule of law principles, principles of good governance and, in the relevant considerations, take into account the importance of peace, order, and security of society,” it added.