The Foundation December 8, 1982 has issued a sharp rebuke against statements made during the recent NDP commemoration event marking the 80th birthday of Desi Bouterse. The organization labeled the remarks regarding the December 8 trial as ‘a gross violation of the rule of law’ and ‘a blatant insult to the families of the victims.’ The Foundation emphasized that the verdict against the convicted individuals was reached after a meticulous and independent legal process, upheld by the highest judicial authorities, and thus remains legally incontrovertible and binding. It criticized attempts to portray the trial as a political conspiracy, undermining the rule of law. The Foundation also condemned efforts to downplay the crimes of December 8, 1982, as a ‘political process’ or to elevate the convicted to the status of ‘comrades.’ It stressed that political leadership must never be used to justify serious human rights violations or trivialize the suffering of victims and their families. The Foundation rejected the notion of a pardon request as a means to achieve impunity, stating that clemency should not be manipulated for partisan political interests but reserved for humanitarian grounds, which are absent in this case. It urged the President of Suriname to resist political pressure from those seeking to exploit the highest office for party gains, warning that such actions would undermine the presidency’s authority both nationally and internationally. The Foundation reiterated that the rule of law is non-negotiable, and truth and justice for the victims are paramount.