Suriname
Suriname exhibits mid-range performance across all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework, and it is among the world’s top 25 per cent of countries with regard to Free Political Parties, Elected Government, Civil Liberties, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Association and Assembly, Freedom of Religion and Civic Engagement. Over the last five years, it has maintained steady performance, with no significant shifts in either direction. Suriname’s economy centers around its abundant natural resources; mining accounts for roughly half of the country’s revenue and its main export is gold. With one of the highest percentages of forest cover on the planet, much of Suriname remains undeveloped and sparsely populated.
Following independence from the Netherlands in 1975, government gridlock over how to spend Dutch aid assistance and dissatisfaction in the military resulted in a 1980 military coup by Dési Bouterse, who retained power until 1987 when the country held general elections and adopted its current constitution. Despite multiple allegations and convictions related to various crimes, Bouterse again served as the President of Suriname from 2010 to 2020. In 2019, Bouterse was sentenced again to 20 years in prison for his role in the 1982 “December killings”, the extrajudicial assassination of political opponents including journalists, academics and lawyers, that took place during his military government; the appeals process is ongoing. In 2020, Bouterse lost his bid for reelection, and the former Minister of Justice and Police Commissioner, Chan Santokhi, took power. The election marked an inflection point in the country’s reckoning with its turbulent past.
Suriname has long struggled to combat corruption and extensive fraud and embezzlement schemes have been exposed in the government and Central Bank. In 2022, in a series of protests, citizens demanded swift action in face of accusations of nepotism and corruption within the current administration. The implementation of a new anti-corruption framework, adopted in 2017, continues at a slow pace.
Suriname is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the region, home to the Afro-Surinamese, as well as to East Indian, Javanese and indigenous communities. The country’s first three principal parties emerged along these ethnic lines, delivering patronage to supporters in the form of civil service jobs. Democratization in the country overlapped with the 1986-1992 Suriname Guerilla War over demands for more development and rights for the minority Maroon (descendants of African slaves and indigenous groups) community. Since the signing of the Lelydorp Accord, which ended the conflict, ethnic voting patterns have declined significantly and most parties in the country now enjoy multiethnic support. But minority groups, including Maroons and indigenous peoples, residing primarily in the remote interior of the country, are still disproportionately affected by multidimensional poverty and political disenfranchisement. Such groups are isolated from social services and political bargaining opportunities, and frequently encounter unauthorized land encroachment for resource exploitation. Suriname has historically refused to recognize Indigenous rights but advocacy groups continue to push for legal rights to land and stronger environmental safeguards.
Women also face challenges, including harassment and discrimination in the workplace as well as gender-based violence. Legal protections for LGBTQIA+ persons in Suriname are also strong, but discrimination and violence persist.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch efforts to implement a strong anti-corruption framework and enhance transparency. Also important is the implementation of a fiscal recovery plan aimed at slowing inflation and lowering indebtedness, which could have a long-term impact on Basic Welfare. Future improvement in Social Rights and Equality, however, may turn on the country’s legal recognition of Indigenous land rights as well as protections for other vulnerable groups.
Monthly Event Reports
December 2023 | Former President Botuerse’s murder conviction confirmed
A Surinamese court has confirmed the murder conviction of former President Desi Botuerse for his role in the “December killings” of 1982, in which political opponents were targeted and which took place during his military government. His prior sentence of 20 years imprisonment was upheld, and four other military officers were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for their participation. The ruling puts an end to the appeal process. In January, after Botuerse failed to surrender himself, Surinamese authorities issued an arrest warrant and requested an international arrest warrant for the former president.
February 2023 | Protesters invade government building and loot businesses in Paramaribo
Mass anti-government protests erupted in Paramaribo on 17 February to demand the resignation of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. The protests erupted after he issued a statement earlier this month revealing the government’s plans to introduce a new tax on imported goods and phase out state subsidies for gas, electricity, and fuel. The protest march of around 2,000 people began peacefully but turned violent after protestors stormed the National Assembly building, and subsequently took to rioting in the streets and looting of shops. Protestors attacked the police and the incident resulted in more than 20 people injured and over 100 arrests. The government condemned the violence and took several measures that include a task force to find those responsible for attacking the parliament, set up of roadblocks, extra surveillance and checkpoints as well as a curfew in downtown Paramaribo. Violence was condemned by leaders of Brazil and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), described as an “unacceptable assault on democracy” and several governments in the region have offered support to President Santokhi’s administration. The United Nations also issued a statement urging “all relevant actors in Suriname to show restraint and engage in inclusive dialogue to address constructively the challenges facing the country”.
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