作者： admin

On a milestone Saturday marking 15 years of disability advocacy in Suriname, President Jennifer Simons made a landmark pledge: people with disabilities across the nation will no longer be sidelined from national growth, and will gain a formal voice in shaping the country’s long-term future plans.

The announcement came during a jubilee celebration for the Suriname-based disability rights organization Stichting Wan Okasi, held at Riverside Shadien, where Simons opened by offering public praise for the foundational work the group has carried out since its founding in 2011. Over 15 years, Wan Okasi has evolved from a small grassroots initiative into one of the country’s most influential advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.

In her address, President Simons emphasized that the unique talents, relentless perseverance, and extraordinary courage of people with disabilities prove they are fully capable of making meaningful, valuable contributions to Surinamese society. “The grit and determination of people with disabilities inspire us all, and teach us a daily lesson that nothing should hold us back from pursuing our goals,” the head of state told attendees. She went on to underscore that equal access to opportunity is a core responsibility of the national government. “This is a collective responsibility for our entire society, but the government holds a formal duty to support this community and give them the same space to grow and thrive that every other citizen enjoys,” Simons said.

Most notably, the president confirmed that representatives of the disability community will be included in the special working group tasked with drafting Suriname’s national long-term development roadmap. “Our national vision is built on the promise that no one will be left behind,” she stated.

Following the president’s remarks, Aniel Koendjbiharie, chair of Wan Okasi, took the stage to reflect on the organization’s progress over 15 years, while outlining ambitious new plans for expanding disability inclusion across the country. Koendjbiharie highlighted key wins the organization has secured to date, including major contributions to the establishment of Suriname’s national human rights institute, improvements to road safety for disabled people, and expanded access to financial services for the community.

Looking ahead, the group is rolling out new initiatives focused on expanding educational access. A new pilot program is already in development to give people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue vocational secondary education (MBO-level training). Wan Okasi has also formed a new partnership with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS), aimed at increasing enrollment of students with disabilities starting in the upcoming academic year.

Koendjbiharie also called for the establishment of a structured, regular consultation framework between the organization and the national government. He noted that Wan Okasi has grown dramatically in size, reach, and expertise over the past 15 years, and is fully prepared to enter a new phase of formal collaboration with state institutions. To advance this goal, the organization will submit a formal governance code with concrete policy proposals to the Simons administration in the coming period.

The 15th anniversary gathering brought together disability advocates, government officials, and community members to celebrate the progress that has been made, while reinforcing shared commitments to building a more inclusive Suriname for all.

On a Sunday morning in Suriname, inmates held at the Uitvlugt police station’s detention block launched a coordinated uprising, fueled by long-simmering grievances over provided meals and visitation policies. Authorities from the Suriname Police Corps confirmed on Wednesday that the unrest, which began at approximately 10 a.m., has been fully contained, and a potential mass escape has been successfully prevented. According to the police’s public relations division, the unrest originated from two core complaints from the incarcerated individuals: first, widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of state-provided meals delivered to the facility, and second, strong objection to existing regulations that ban visitors from bringing in certain personal items, most notably instant noodles like popular Indomie brand soup. What began as a collective protest quickly escalated into open insurrection. Inmates ripped cell block doors from their hinges, constructed barricades at the main entrance to the detention wing, and caused extensive property damage throughout the facility. Multiple reports also confirm that protestors threw contaminated water and waste at on-duty police officers stationed at the complex. In response to the rapidly escalating crisis, police leadership ordered an immediate evacuation of the entire cell block. All inmates were swiftly transferred to other detention facilities across the region, with identified suspected ringleaders of the uprising moved to the central prison, the House of Detention, to prevent further unrest. In a post-incident briefing, police officials clarified that the catering service responsible for meals at Uitvlugt also supplies food to multiple other detention facilities in Suriname, and no complaints about meal quality have been recorded at any other location. This lack of parallel complaints has led investigators to conclude that the uprising was deliberately incited by a small group of inmates, rather than being a spontaneous response to poor conditions. Police spokesperson further noted that the unrest is likely linked to recent severe sentencing demands brought against several of the suspected ringleaders. The protest was allegedly orchestrated to create chaos that would enable an escape attempt, a plot that law enforcement successfully dismantled before it could progress. The operation to regain control of the facility was led by Haimee Hip, regional commander for Paramaribo and chief inspector, who coordinated closely with the Uitvlugt regional commander and his command staff. Additional tactical support was provided by the specialized Arrest Team and the Paramaribo Regional Assistance Team, allowing authorities to regain control of the facility without extended conflict.