PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – Armed police and army members ringed the National Assembly building on Friday as a four-member delegation handed a proposal for a draft electoral law to the leadership of the National Assembly (DNA).
The draft Electoral Act, written by attorney Jennifer Van Dijk-Silos, was received by DNA chairman Marinus Bee, who said that the request by the activists for the proposal to be put on the parliamentary agenda soon as possible would need support from a majority of lawmakers as.
Bee said the National Assembly would hold an academic week next month, during which the electoral system will be discussed.
But the activists have warned that while the legislative body may tinker with the design, the “essence” must remain and that if the National Assembly does not meet the one-week requirement, different action will be taken.
However, few people responded to the activist’s “Everything flat” call on Friday, with the area around Independence Square being closed off.
The Federation of Organizations of Teachers in Suriname (FOLS) had earlier this week informed the government that schools should remain closed on Friday following the announcement by several groups to stage protest action over the socio-economic conditions in the country.
The groups were planning to protest the high cost of living in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country and the decision of nationals to seek better employment opportunities overseas.
Earlier this week, the government received a donation of protective clothing from the Dutch government consisting of body, shin, arm protection, and other protective clothing.
The Netherlands Embassy here said that the supplies were provided at the request of the Surinamese government.
Earlier, the government and the business community said they would not accept a repeat of ‘February 17’ when protesters stormed the National Assembly and looted several businesses.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, the Minister of Justice and Police, Kenneth Amoksi, said. However, several people have been detained in connection with the incident. Some are yet to face the courts.
So far, 112 persons suspected of gross and violent looting, theft, vandalism, and sedition have been identified and taken into custody.
“The people will all be brought to justice,” said Amoksi, adding, “there are agreements with the judiciary to get all these people tried through a fast-track procedure.”
Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation Minister, Albert Ramdin, said. At the same time, it is the right of persons to protest, “a duty even,” he agreed with Amoksi, Defence Minister Krishna Mathoera, and Economic Affairs Minister Rishma Kuldipsingh that the situation should not be allowed to get out of hand.
“The government considers that the protesters have not applied for a permit. The government expects a peaceful protest. Action will be taken mercilessly against those who want to take advantage of the situation”.
Kuldipsingh said the entrepreneurs, in addition to the police and military, will also take safety measures.
“People are prepared,” she added, “they were not prepared for what would happen on February 17. They are now and have indicated that what happened on February 17 will not be accepted on March 24. They will take care of their safety”.
Amoksi said that the authorities are also aware “that criminals are being recruited to mingle with the activists.
“We have information that cell houses will be targeted to force an uprising somehow. It has also been reported that criminals make fake uniforms to bust people. All this information is known to us. We do not touch the intentions of benevolent citizens. But we must reject what is wrong. We do that,” he added.
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