Suriname - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 39, November 1, 2021
Recommendations by Canada

Recommendation

Check against delivery

Thank you, Mister President

Canada welcomes the delegation of Suriname, and the country’s progress since the last review cycle. In particular, Canada commends Suriname’s efforts to strengthen its laws protecting children from violence and abuse, including the establishment of a shelter for victims, the establishment of a constitutional court, and the reduction in pre-trial detention times. Canada also commends Suriname for holding free and fair elections and for building an inclusive government.

Canada recommends that Suriname -

1. Actively encourage use of - and access to- shelters for survivors of gender based violence, as well as expand educational and outreach programs to encourage survivors to report abuse.
2. Increase efforts to recognize Indigenous peoples and demarcate their traditional territories through legislation.
3. Investigate allegations of excessive force used by police and hold those responsible accountable.
4. Take steps to modernise Surinamese prisons to an acceptable standard of safety, capacity and sanitation.

Furthermore, Canada encourages Suriname to outlaw the practice of corporal punishment against children in their homes.

Background

Suriname  has established an inclusive and representative government encompassing various components of society. In October 2019, the National Assembly adopted the law creating the Constitutional Court (as foreseen in the 1975 and 1987 constitutions). The members of the court were officially installed in May 2020.

Human rights issues reported in Suriname include a high-prevalence of gender-based violence and violence against children, exploitation and trafficking of women and children, failure to recognize and protect Indigenous people’s rights, unnecessary use of force by police, and poor conditions of prisons and detention centres.  

The region has seen an increase of domestic and gender-based violence with the COVID-19 lockdowns. Gender-based violence, and the trafficking and exploitation of women and children are reported to be serious and pervasive issues in Suriname. In order to address these problems, the government has implemented a number of awareness and outreach programs, provided training and resources to law enforcement, and provided shelters for victims of domestic violence.

Suriname's record regarding the rights of Indigenous peoples is mixed; while the country recognizes the different Maroon and Indigenous tribes, it has no legislation governing Indigenous peoples' lands or other rights. Progress was made in 2021 when the government authorized the implementation of a 2016 court’s decision to allocate resources to the Lower Marowijne region community’s development fund.

Although there have been no recorded deaths due to police use of force, activists and lawyers have alleged that detainees have been beaten in custody and arrested with excessive force. Moreover, video footage showing the unnecessary use of force and degrading treatment in response to individuals violating the COVID-19 curfew have been circulating on social media.

Finally, while prisons in Suriname generally meet international minimum standards, various issues still raise concerns. Prisons are overcrowded; they lack light, adequate sanitation facilities, and emergency safety protocols. There are no fire exits, and cells are locked with individual padlocks. There is also a high ratio of prisoners to guards, and guards are drawn from the regular police force without standardized training.