UNITED NATIONS, CMC – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, says he is “concerned” about the violent protests in Suriname last Friday, where more than 100 people were detained after protestors stormed the National Assembly and private businesses looted and damaged and several people injured.
“The Secretary-General stresses that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental human rights that must be respected at all times, but protests must be carried out without resorting to violence,” according to a brief statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.
“The Secretary-General urges all relevant actors in Suriname to show restraint and engage in inclusive dialogue to address constructively the challenges facing the country,” the statement added.
Over the weekend, the United States and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) condemned the attack on Suriname’s Parliament. Washington said while it supports the right to peaceful protest and respect for the rule of law, it “remains committed to helping Suriname strengthen its democratic institutions.”
In a statement issued following its 44th summit in the Bahamas, CARICOM said it reaffirms its support for the democratically elected government in the Dutch-speaking CARICOM country under the leadership of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and “strongly condemned the violent attacks on people as well as private and public facilities including the Parliament.
“CARICOM stands in solidarity with all law-abiding citizens of Suriname and urges all concerned to make every effort to maintain public safety. All efforts must be made to restore calm as a matter of urgency.”
President Santokhi warned that his government would not tolerate indiscipline after police used teargas to disperse the demonstrators, who gathered outside the Parliament building demanding his administration reverse its policies that have led to the removal of subsidies on several items, including fuel.
Justice and Police Minister Kenneth Amoksi told a news conference on Sunday night that more than 140 people had been arrested for their involvement in the vandalism and looting last Friday.
He told reporters that the authorities would continue their search for the protest organizers as they detained Stephano ‘Pakittow’ Biervliet, the political activist who was among the main organizers.
The Forensic Investigation has been to 19 locations, including the National Assembly and Stichting Radio-Omroep Suriname, where an attempt had been made to set it ablaze.
Barricades erected in various places have since been removed, but the roads near the Office of the President and the Assembly Building remain closed.
The authorities said that the budget debate would continue on Monday.
Defense Minister, Krishna Mathoera, said that security has been stepped up and that the police and the National Army are working together.
He said that talks have also been held with private companies and that every effort is being made to guarantee the safety of society.
The main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP), has condemned what it said is the brutal way” its parliamentarian Ebu Jones was treated by “some law enforcement officers” last Friday.
It said that Jones was present in the Parliament as a legislator and had been listening to some protestors trying to calm the situation.
“Furthermore, society will not have missed that the member assisted an injured police officer. Various images show that the member, who wanted to go to his vehicle, was heavily treated by the police, without there being any reason to do so,” the NDP said, adding that this action by the police, to mistreat a member of Parliament in such a cowardly manner, is a direct attack on the rule of law.
The NDP demands “a thorough investigation into the actions of the police both inside and outside the National Assembly.”
Meanwhile, the Surinamese Business Association (VSB) and the Association of Surinamese Manufacturers (ASFA) advise their members to re-open their businesses on Monday but exercise the necessary caution.
According to a statement issued by the private sector groups following discussions with the government, there is an apparent tension between what the people want and what is in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
“We want certainties, in other words, a response to the available capacity of the security services, because our primary concern is the safety of employees under all circumstances. The safety of our employees is non-negotiable,” the statement said, with the business groups also saying that the authorities should “conduct a more effective solution-oriented coherent policy based on a better root cause analysis from the government with relevant stakeholders, (namely) the trade unions and civil society.”
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