标签： Suriname

The Court of Justice in Suriname has ruled that the 2020 decision by the National Assembly (DNA) to place former Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad under formal accusation was lawful. This decision, made after nearly five years of legal battles, renders Hoefdraad’s civil lawsuit against the State, the National Assembly, and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) inadmissible. Hoefdraad, who remains a fugitive, had contested his prosecution, which stemmed from his alleged involvement in the high-profile case concerning the Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS).

Hoefdraad and his legal team argued that the National Assembly’s decision was unlawful, as the parliament, then led by Jennifer Simons, had previously decided not to prosecute him during the second term of the NDP government. However, following the May 2020 elections, then Attorney General Roy Baidjnath Panday resubmitted a request to prosecute Hoefdraad. The new parliament, led by Marinus Bee and comprising a coalition of VHP, ABOP, NPS, and Pertjajah Luhur, approved the prosecution. Hoefdraad claimed this decision was politically influenced, asserting that the parliament could not revisit a prior decision unless new evidence emerged—a condition not met in this case.

In 2023, Hoefdraad was convicted in absentia, alongside other key figures, including former CBvS Governor Robert van Trikt and legal director Faranaaz Hausil. All defendants appealed their convictions, while Hoefdraad continued his civil case to challenge the legitimacy of his prosecution. The court handling the criminal appeal has completed its investigation but awaits the outcome of this civil case, which has been delayed multiple times.

Hoefdraad’s lawyer, Murwin Dubois, argued that a favorable ruling in the civil case could have impacted the criminal proceedings. Notably, Interpol refused to extradite Hoefdraad to Suriname, removing him from its wanted list and barring Suriname from using its channels, citing the prosecution as politically motivated. With the Court’s ruling affirming the legitimacy of the prosecution, the path is now clear for a final verdict in the criminal appeal.

In a recent press conference, President Jennifer Simons of Suriname addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the December case, clarifying that she has not received an official pardon request from the four men convicted in the trial. She emphasized that her office has only received a letter from their lawyer, Irvin Kanhai, and not a signed petition from the individuals themselves.

President Simons underscored that a pardon request must be a personal act, requiring the direct involvement and signature of the convicted individuals. This principle aligns with the nearly 1,000 pardon requests submitted in anticipation of Suriname’s 50th anniversary of independence. ‘A pardon is a request from the detainee themselves. As long as that is not on my desk, I know nothing about it,’ she stated. She further clarified that unsigned letters do not qualify as formal pardon requests.

The President noted that she has received numerous pardon requests from other detainees, all of which were processed through the Ministry of Justice & Police and met all necessary requirements, including the signatures of the applicants.

Regarding the December case, President Simons declared it legally closed. ‘What I personally think, or what you personally think, no longer matters. The judge has made the decision; the case is over,’ she responded to a question. She assured that the human rights of all detainees, including the four convicted individuals, are being respected but reiterated that she sees no reason to reopen the matter.

‘We forget no one, including these four individuals. But neither you nor anyone else will get me to reopen this drama,’ she firmly stated. President Simons concluded by emphasizing her focus on the future of Suriname, stating, ‘I carry an entire country on my shoulders. The situation is not easy, but I continue to work to provide a better life for all Surinamese people.’

The National Party of Suriname (NPS) has vehemently denied allegations that it has agreed within the coalition to grant pardons to those convicted in the December murders case. In a formal statement, the party labeled such claims as ‘utterly false.’ The NPS clarified that it has taken note of media reports suggesting its support for clemency but firmly rejected these assertions. The party reiterated its stance that the convictions not only upheld the rule of law but also delivered justice to the victims’ families and society at large. The NPS emphasized that granting pardons is not under consideration. Instead, the party remains focused on Suriname’s development and the welfare of its citizens, pledging to uphold a robust legal system where the protection of citizens is paramount.

The proposed name change of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP) has not been widely discussed within the party, according to Deputy Chairman Asis Gajadien. He emphasized that, as far as known, the idea stems from party leader Chan Santokhi and does not represent an official stance or decision by the party’s governing bodies. Santokhi mentioned the proposal during a radio interview on ABC. Gajadien stated that the VHP does not need a new name but rather genuine reform. ‘If the party wants to maintain its role as a broad people’s movement, it must stop focusing on symbolic changes and instead prioritize structural reforms: more internal democracy, honest leadership, and credible renewal,’ he told Starnieuws. The deputy chairman warned that without a course correction, any name change would remain an empty gesture—a façade that fails to address underlying challenges. ‘The VHP has a rich history, but its future depends on its willingness to regain the people’s trust. Not by changing names, but through actions and leadership that serve the people,’ Gajadien stressed.

During the Caricom Inter-Sessional Meeting held on Thursday, President Jennifer Simons of Suriname emphasized the urgent need for regional unity in addressing climate change and restoring stability in Haiti. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva, President Simons represented Suriname at the virtual summit, where Caribbean leaders discussed pressing regional and global issues. The meeting, attended virtually from the Presidential Cabinet, served as a crucial platform for dialogue on climate change, security, the Haitian crisis, and Caribbean solidarity. Suriname highlighted its unique role as a carbon-negative nation, with vast forest areas contributing significantly to global climate health. Minister Bouva stressed that countries actively preserving the environment deserve fair compensation and sustainable climate financing. The leaders also addressed the ongoing crisis in Haiti, with Suriname expressing solidarity and support for international efforts to restore democracy, human rights, and security. Bouva affirmed Suriname’s commitment to contributing to stabilizing measures in alignment with UN resolutions. Additionally, the summit focused on regional security challenges, including maritime incidents and drug trafficking. President Simons underscored the importance of peace through dialogue and cooperation. Suriname is set to assume the chairmanship of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), positioning the country to play a pivotal role in shaping the regional foreign policy agenda. Bouva reiterated Suriname’s belief in collaboration, dialogue, and solidarity as essential for building a future of peace, sustainability, and mutual benefit.

The recent call by Ramon Abrahams, Deputy Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), for pardons for four individuals convicted in the December Murders has reignited old wounds and risks triggering an internal crisis within the party. Initially perceived as an act of loyalty to former leader Desi Bouterse, the move now threatens to weaken President Jennifer Simons politically and destabilize the fragile equilibrium of Suriname. During a commemoration event for Bouterse’s 80th birthday on October 13, Abrahams urged clemency for three imprisoned convicts and one fugitive, Iwan Dijksteel, who remains at large. Bouterse’s lawyer, Irvin Kanhai, added weight to the appeal by announcing he had submitted a pardon request to the President’s Cabinet on behalf of the convicts. President Simons, present at the event, appeared visibly surprised and stated she had not seen the request, leaving her unable to take a stance. The speech drew immediate backlash, both from society and within the NDP, as it reopened the unhealed trauma of the December Murders, a national tragedy. Critics labeled Abrahams’ remarks as ill-timed and politically tone-deaf, with some suggesting the move was poorly coordinated with Simons. The incident has exposed a growing rift within the NDP between a hardline faction loyal to Bouterse and a moderate group aligned with Simons, who seeks to restore the party’s image and maintain the ruling coalition. Simons now faces a delicate balancing act: as party leader, she cannot ignore the wishes of her colleagues, but as president, she must consider the sentiments of her coalition partners and the public. Coalition members like the NPS and A-20 are unlikely to support pardons for the December Murders convicts, given the symbolic weight of such a decision. While humanitarian arguments for clemency exist—three of the convicts are elderly and in poor health—the broader societal context, including the unresolved grief of victims’ families, complicates the matter. The situation is further muddied by conflicting reports about the legitimacy of the pardon request, with the convicts denying they authorized Kanhai to act on their behalf. This raises questions about internal power dynamics and whether the pardon issue is being weaponized in a factional struggle. Simons’ leadership is being openly tested, and some party members appear willing to undermine her if she does not align with their agenda. The irony is that Bouterse once warned that the NDP’s greatest threat would come from within—a statement that now rings prophetic. As Suriname grapples with significant economic challenges, including mounting debt and hopes for future oil revenues, the country’s political stability is once again jeopardized by internal strife and unresolved historical grievances. What Suriname needs is calm, clarity, and leaders who use the past as a lesson for the future, not as a weapon. Abrahams’ call, however, serves as a stark reminder of how thin the veneer of reconciliation remains.