Suriname
Suriname exhibits mid-range performance across all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. It is among the world’s top 25 per cent of countries in several factors related to Representation and Rights, and in the Participation category itself. Since 2018, the country has experienced significant improvement in Access to Justice, Economic Equality, and Rule of Law. Suriname has an upper-middle income economy, which centers around its abundant natural resources. Mining, especially gold, accounts for roughly half of the country’s revenue. With one of the highest percentages of forest cover, much of Suriname remains undeveloped and sparsely populated.
Following independence from the Netherlands in 1975, government gridlock over Dutch aid assistance and dissatisfaction in the military resulted in the 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 criminal convictions, Bouterse again served as President between 2010 and 2020. In 2019, Bouterse was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the 1982 “December killings”, the extrajudicial assassination of political opponents that took place during his military government (the conviction was upheld in 2023 after an appeals process). In 2020, Chan Santokhi, a former Minister of Justice and Police Commissioner, defeated Bouterse in the presidential election, marking a significant turning point in Suriname’s history.
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 in government. Massive anti-austerity demonstrations turned violent in 2023, when protesters attempted to storm the parliament. The implementation of an 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, East Indian, Javanese and Indigenous communities. The country’s first three principal parties emerged along these ethnic lines, delivering patronage through civil service jobs. Democratization 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. But minority groups, including Maroons and Indigenous peoples, residing primarily in the remote interior of the country, are still disproportionately affected by multidimensional poverty. They are isolated from social services and political bargaining opportunities, and frequently encounter unauthorized land encroachment for resource exploitation, despite recent advances. Suriname has historically refused to recognize Indigenous rights but advocacy groups continue to push for legal rights to land and stronger environmental safeguards.
Despite new reforms prohibiting sexual harassment in the workplace, Gender Equality remains at mid-level performance with women’s participation in decision-making remaining low, and representation in the legislature far from reaching parity. Other challenges include discrimination in the workplace, unequal pay, and gender-based violence. Similarly, despite some legal protections for LGBTQIA+ persons, discrimination and violence persist.
Looking ahead, it will be important to follow efforts to address corruption and improve transparency. The Surinamese government’s balance between slowing inflation and debt and public unrest due to price increases will also be key for Economic Equality. Another factor to pay attention to is Gender Equality considering its recent improvements as well as the development of a gender equality framework. Lastly, Suriname is highly vulnerable to climate change and mitigation and resilience activities should be monitored.
Last Updated: August 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2025
Suriname holds parliamentary elections
On 25 May, Suriname held parliamentary elections for its National Assembly. These were the first elections held since the 2023 electoral reform, which introduced a proportional representation system within a single national constituency. The National Democratic Party (NDP) secured 18 seats, while the ruling Progressive Reform Party (VHP) won 17 out of a total of 51 seats in the National Assembly. The remaining 16 seats were distributed among smaller parties. With no party achieving a clear majority, the formation of political coalitions will be key to electing the next President, with NDP chairwoman Jennifer Geerlings-Simons emerging as a strong contender. Voter turnout is estimated at 69.3 per cent, a slight decrease from the 71.6 per cent recorded in the 2020 elections. As of 18 June, data on the proportion of seats held by women in the new parliament was not yet available. International observers reported some operational challenges but stated that the elections were conducted in an overall peaceful manner.
Souces: Central Polling Station Suriname (1), Central Polling Station Suriname (2), Al Jazeera, CARICOM Election Observation Mission, Caribbean Council, COPPAL, Organization of American States
June 2024
Landmark ruling is issued on Indigenous rights
In a landmark ruling, a Suriname court has halted development on hundreds of thousands of hectares of Amazon rainforest, inhabited mainly by Indigenous communities. The injunction was approved by a local court following the petition of 12 Indigenous and Maroon groups that claimed to be at risk of losing approximately 535,000 hectares of their ancestral land to agricultural development. The ruling emphasizes that the government cannot grant land without free, prior, and informed consent from local communities, as such projects could threaten burial grounds, hunting areas, and cultural traditions. Even though there had been previous rulings on the matter coming from international courts, this decision sets a new precedent in Suriname, recognizing territorial rights for Indigenous and local peoples for the first time in a local court.
Sources: Minority Forum, Business and Human Rights Resource Center, Dagbladdewest
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.
Sources: Caribbean Today, Stabroek News, France 24, Caribbean National Weekly
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 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”.
Sources: Stabroek News, Caribbean Nation Weekly, Trinidad Express, Associated Press, Reuters
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