标签： Suriname

In a significant move to address financial constraints, Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath has proposed that the Anti-Corruption Commission temporarily relocate to the same building housing the Constitutional Court (Chof). The commission is currently required to vacate its premises on Henck Arronstraat due to the ministry’s inability to meet rental obligations. The Chof is situated at the intersection of Watermolen and Lim A Postraat. Monorath emphasized that this relocation is a necessary interim measure, saving the ministry approximately $4,000 per month in rental costs. He clarified that the move is not intended to displace the Chof, referencing President Jennifer Simons’ recent mention of the court in her annual address. The appointment and installation of the Chof’s chairperson and members remain pending. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice and Police has initiated renovations of several buildings, including its headquarters and the former Public Prosecutor’s Office. Monorath reiterated that the decision is purely financial and aims to provide both the Chof and the Anti-Corruption Commission with their own dedicated facilities in the future.

In a swift response to widespread public discontent, Minister Stanley Soeropawiro announced the withdrawal of the contentious decision to allocate the Leonsberg docking facility during an emergency meeting convened by Bronto Somohardjo, Chairman of the Permanent Committee on Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) in the National Assembly. The meeting, attended by the boat owners’ association led by Ann Sadi, an NDP parliamentarian, was prompted by the outcry over the timing of the decision, made just ten days before the elections. Somohardjo hailed the minister’s promise as ‘a first victory for the people,’ stating, ‘What happened here was not policy; it was brutality. The voice of the people has been heard, and the boat owners have regained their source of income.’ He emphasized that the GBB committee would closely monitor the issue until the withdrawal is officially completed, vowing, ‘We will not shelve this matter; we will pursue it. Our duty as a committee is to protect the people.’ Somohardjo also noted the unanimous support of his committee colleagues—Parmessar, Sharman, Jarbadhan, Jones, Bouterse Waldring, and Bink—in ensuring a just resolution, including potential criminal investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. ‘As a committee, we stand united: justice above injustice,’ he declared. He further praised President Simons and Minister Soeropawiro for their prompt action ‘to right what had gone wrong’ and announced that the GBB committee would soon propose additional legislation to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States, has died at the age of 84. His family announced his passing on Tuesday, attributing his death to complications from pneumonia and cardiovascular diseases. Cheney, who served as Vice President under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was surrounded by his wife Lynne, their daughters Liz and Mary, and other family members at the time of his death. Cheney played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during his tenure, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was a key architect of the ‘War on Terror’ and a staunch advocate for the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq, a decision that drew widespread global criticism. After leaving office, Cheney remained active in American politics. In a notable move in 2024, he publicly endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, criticizing the direction of the Republican Party under Donald Trump. Cheney is remembered as one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in U.S. history, leaving behind a legacy marked by significant influence on foreign policy and controversy over his role in wars and domestic politics. His family described him as a loving man who taught his children and grandchildren to love their country and lived a life filled with courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.

The Suriname Committee for Reparations of the Slavery Past, led by Armand Zunder, is set to present a petition to the Surinamese government, Vice President Gregory Rusland, and National Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin on Wednesday. The petition will also be handed to Dutch Ambassador Walter Oostelbos. This initiative stems from extensive discussions among Surinamese organizations representing descendants of enslaved people and indigenous communities, supported by both local and international networks. In the Netherlands, consultations were held with groups such as the Federation Afro Diaspora Network and the National Reparation Commission Netherlands, led by Barryl Biekman, a prominent voice in the Dutch slavery debate. Zunder emphasized that the petition aims to uphold justice and truth, ensuring future generations are not burdened by unresolved historical grievances. He acknowledged King Willem-Alexander’s 2023 apology as a significant step but stressed the need for further dialogue on reparations, recognition, and reconciliation. The petition coincides with the upcoming state visit of the Dutch royal couple to Suriname, which Zunder sees as a pivotal moment to address the legacy of Dutch colonialism and slavery. The document outlines five key areas for reparations: restitution of stolen land and cultural artifacts, financial and moral compensation, rehabilitation of affected communities, acknowledgment of injustices, and guarantees against repetition. Zunder called for a formal moment of recognition and apology during the royal visit, urging a mature and respectful dialogue to heal historical wounds. He highlighted the ongoing socio-economic and cultural marginalization faced by descendants of enslaved people, tracing it back to the delayed emancipation and compensation paid exclusively to slaveholders in 1863. Zunder concluded by emphasizing the need for open and honest conversations to achieve true reconciliation and a future free from the shadows of guilt and shame.