Assembly member Asis Gajadien has expressed deep concerns regarding the recent handling of pardon requests submitted to President Jennifer Simons. Gajadien emphasized that the process must be conducted with “utmost care” to safeguard the rule of law and Suriname’s international reputation. He highlighted that Article 109 of the Constitution explicitly requires the president to seek advice from the judge who imposed the sentence or their successor before granting any pardon. “This provision is not a mere formality but a cornerstone of our democratic legal system,” Gajadien stated. “It ensures judicial independence and public trust in fair legal proceedings.” Gajadien further stressed that pardons are exceptional legal remedies, reserved for “extraordinary circumstances involving humanitarian or equity considerations.” He warned against using pardons as political tools or undermining judicial authority. “The manner of application, through political platforms, adds a concerning dimension to this issue,” he noted. Gajadien urged the president to consider not only legal requirements but also societal interests and Suriname’s international credibility when addressing pending pardon requests. He cautioned that premature or inadequately justified pardons could damage the government’s image and send the wrong signal to the international community, which closely monitors Suriname’s commitment to good governance and integrity. “Society deserves the assurance that justice is administered fairly, transparently, and without bias,” Gajadien concluded, calling on the coalition and the president to prioritize the rule of law, social stability, and the moral authority of the office above all else.
标签： Suriname
苏里南
-
VS blaast weer boot op nabij Venezuela; 6 doden
In a dramatic military operation, the US Navy destroyed a boat in international waters near the Venezuelan coast on Monday, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, as confirmed by former President Donald Trump. The targeted vessel was allegedly involved in drug trafficking, prompting the US government to label the operation as a strike against ‘narcoterrorists.’ Trump released a video showing the moment the boat exploded, emphasizing the action as part of America’s broader campaign against illegal drug networks. The US administration defended the operation, asserting its legality under international law and its alignment with efforts to combat organized crime. However, the incident has drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who question the transparency and justification of such attacks, particularly in the absence of publicly disclosed evidence. Critics argue that the move sets a concerning precedent for unilateral military actions in international waters, raising questions about adherence to international legal standards.
-
Fernald lanceert boek over onderwijsvernieuwing: ‘Van crisis tot perspectief’
Ivan Fernald, a prominent figure in Surinamese education, has launched his latest book, ‘From Crisis to Perspective: The Best Education for Every Student.’ The book was formally presented to Minister of Education, Science, and Culture Dirk Currie and Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin. Fernald’s work transcends a mere retrospective; it serves as a clarion call for the restoration and renewal of Suriname’s educational system. The author poses three pivotal questions: What went wrong in the reform process? What structural issues underpin the educational crisis? And how can the system be repaired and strengthened? Fernald critiques the 2020–2025 education policy, highlighting both its urgency and the fragility of its reforms. He argues that initiatives lacking adequate preparation, legal grounding, or structural support are destined to fail. The book is structured thematically, diagnosing the educational crisis, examining the role of teachers and curriculum, addressing the plight of disadvantaged students, and advocating for practical, hands-on education. In the final section, Fernald outlines a comprehensive recovery and transformation plan with actionable recommendations. He emphasizes that quality education is the cornerstone of socioeconomic progress and national development, urging for a national education agenda supported by political, societal, and educational stakeholders. Fernald’s policy proposals include the establishment of an Innovation Bureau to drive educational reforms, the creation of a Strategic National Education Council (SNOR) as an independent advisory body, a greater role for the Anton de Kom University and IOL in digital transformation, the qualification of the Interior as a stimulation area, and the reintroduction of the sixth-grade test (year 8) to better assess student support needs. Concluding his work, Fernald calls for collaboration: ‘What we need is not just innovation, but direction, continuity, and support. Only then can we truly turn the tide.’ ‘From Crisis to Perspective – The Best Education for Every Student’ is positioned as a guiding compass for policymakers, teachers, parents, and all who believe in the right of every child in Suriname to receive the best education.
-
Natio pakt zwaar bevochten punt tegen Panama: 1–1
In a fiercely contested World Cup qualifier, the Surinamese national football team managed to secure a valuable point against Panama in an away match that ended 1–1. Despite Panama’s dominance throughout the game, Suriname capitalized on their opportunities to deliver a resilient performance. Panama controlled possession from the outset, maintaining 67% of the ball in the first half and launching twelve attempts, four of which were on target. Suriname’s goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, played a pivotal role with several crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Against the run of play, Suriname struck in the 21st minute through a swift counterattack. Cherry Tjaronn delivered a precise pass to Richonell Margaret, who calmly finished to give Suriname a 0–1 lead. Vaessen continued to shine, making two reflex saves to deny Panama an equalizer before halftime. In the second half, Panama intensified their pressure, pinning Suriname in their own half for extended periods. A controversial penalty claim was overturned by VAR, but Panama eventually found the equalizer in the 96th minute through relentless attacking. Despite the late setback, Suriname’s mental fortitude and tactical discipline earned them a crucial point, keeping their qualification hopes alive with two matches remaining in the group stage.
-
President Simons: Leiderschap vraagt vertrouwen, ook in de storm
At a commemorative gathering held on Monday evening to honor what would have been the 80th birthday of Desi Bouterse, President Jennifer Simons, chairperson of the NDP, spoke candidly about the solitude and responsibility that leadership entails. ‘There are storms in which I have no power, because they are greater than I am,’ she remarked. ‘Yet, we must trust each other to do the best we can from the positions we hold.’
Simons described Bouterse’s life as ‘complete, yet meaningful to many,’ praising his perseverance despite the adversities he faced. ‘He meant something to everyone in Suriname—though not the same thing to everyone. He was controversial, yet deeply beloved. The place he stood was a lonely one. No matter how many people surrounded him—it was a solitary position. And he endured it for decades. Respect.’
The president acknowledged that she, too, experiences similar solitude in her current role when making difficult decisions. According to Simons, mutual trust is essential, both within the party and the nation. ‘If we do not collaborate—within the party and the country—we will not succeed. But if we stand together with a shared goal, Suriname will become the remarkable country we all know it can be.’
Simons referenced Bouterse’s own words as an example of his life philosophy: ‘When you sleep, I do not. And when you do not sleep, I sleep.’ In this, she recognized the burden of leadership but also the dedication to a greater purpose. ‘The life he led was not easy. Yet, he persevered, even in his solitude. That requires courage and trust.’
-
Wereldbank ondersteunt route naar sterkere toerismesector
The Surinamese government has identified the tourism sector as a key driver of economic growth, unveiling a new marketing strategy to propel its development. Presented by Simon McArthur & Associates (SMA) Tourism, an international consultancy firm, the strategy was introduced at the Cabinet of the President as part of a World Bank-supported initiative to strengthen the tourism industry. This follows an earlier presentation on the Value Chain for Tourism. Simon McArthur, Managing Director of SMA Tourism, highlighted Suriname’s exceptional tourism potential but noted a lack of clear positioning. ‘Promoting too many diverse products simultaneously creates confusion,’ McArthur stated. ‘We recommend a unified strategy focusing on one or two core aspects—our suggestion is culture and nature. Suriname offers unique experiences unmatched anywhere in the world.’ McArthur emphasized that visitors could become Suriname’s best ambassadors if experiences are consistently and professionally delivered, as reported by the Suriname Communication Service. However, he also pointed out structural challenges hindering tourism growth, including the absence of specialized tourism programs at local universities, a shortage of qualified personnel in the ministry and sector, and practical obstacles like limited international flight connections and a lack of efficient e-commerce systems for foreign payments. Minister Raymond Landveld of Transport, Communication, and Tourism acknowledged the critical observations made during the presentation but viewed them as opportunities for improvement. ‘It’s better to face reality than to mask it,’ he said. ‘We must now focus on making these plans actionable. The current policy direction shows immense potential.’ Rachel Pinas, Tourism Advisor at the Cabinet of the President, emphasized that operationalizing the Suriname Tourism Authority (STA) remains a top priority. ‘The law and governance structure are in place, but funding details need to be finalized,’ Pinas explained. ‘Once active, the STA will oversee promotion, marketing, and sector certification, as seen in other countries.’ The SMA Tourism marketing strategy is expected to be finalized by the end of this year, with implementation to follow by the government and industry stakeholders.
-
Abiamofo: Bemoedigende resultaten bij biedingsronde voor nieuwe offshoreblokken
The Surinamese government has taken a significant step forward in its offshore oil exploration efforts, as the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) presented the outcomes of the recent bidding round for shallow offshore blocks 9 and 10. The presentation, held at the Cabinet of the President on Monday, was attended by key stakeholders, including Natural Resources Minister David Abiamofo, who described the results as ‘encouraging.’
The bidding process, which ran from November 2024 to May 2025, targeted oil exploration in shallow waters off Suriname’s coast. International oil companies (IOCs) were invited to submit proposals for the two blocks. Following the conclusion of the bidding period, an independent evaluation committee reviewed the submissions and prepared recommendations, which were subsequently presented to the government by Staatsolie.
Minister Abiamofo revealed that the proposal will be further discussed in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. ‘What I can already say is that the results are encouraging. Multiple bids were received, and for each block, a different international consortium has been proposed as the operator,’ he stated in a release from Suriname’s Communication Service. The minister emphasized that the current focus is on oil exploration and production, with the potential presence of associated natural gas to be addressed in later development phases.
This bidding round is part of Staatsolie’s broader strategy to develop Suriname’s offshore potential and attract new investors in anticipation of expected oil production in the coming years. The initiative underscores the country’s commitment to leveraging its natural resources for economic growth and energy development.
-
VS: Surinaams investeringsklimaat verbetert; hervormingen en olieproject stuwen vertrouwen
Suriname has witnessed a significant enhancement in its investment climate over the past year, driven by economic reforms, rising investor confidence, and growing foreign interest, particularly in the energy sector. This is highlighted in the 2025 Investment Climate Statements: Suriname, published by the U.S. Department of State. The report underscores a breakthrough in offshore oil development, with TotalEnergies and APA Corporation spearheading a USD 10.5 billion project set to commence production by 2028. Other major oil companies, including Chevron, Petronas, Shell, and PetroChina, are also active in Suriname’s concessions. In the gold mining sector, Newmont and Zijin dominate as the largest legal operators, with taxes from the regulated gold industry contributing approximately 80% of state revenues. The successful completion of the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program in March 2025 has stabilized the macroeconomy, with economic growth hovering around 3% and inflation dropping below 10% from a peak of 60% in 2021. The government has also restructured external debt through agreements with the Paris Club and China. Key reforms include the independence of the central bank, modernization of the currency framework, and the introduction of VAT in 2023. Additionally, a new procurement law, accounting act, and sovereign wealth fund act were enacted to enhance transparency. However, challenges persist, including opaque approval processes for foreign direct investment, corruption risks, stringent labor protections, and a high corporate tax rate of 36%. The report emphasizes that sustained institutional reforms, macroeconomic stability, and infrastructure investments are crucial to maintaining investor interest.
-
Santokhi reageert op aanhouding zoon in VS: Vertrouw op rechtvaardige afhandeling
Former President Chan Santokhi has publicly responded to reports regarding the detention of his son, Richano Santokhi, in the United States due to issues surrounding his immigration status. In his statement, Santokhi emphasized that his son’s residency application is currently under review by the relevant authorities and that he is receiving legal assistance from an attorney.
Santokhi expressed confidence in a fair and thorough resolution of the matter, stating, ‘As a father, I trust in a careful and just handling of this case, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.’ He lamented that some individuals are exploiting his son’s personal situation for political or publicity purposes.
‘It is unfortunate that there are those who misuse this issue to inflict political and public damage,’ Santokhi remarked. He called for respect for his family’s privacy and urged society and the media to exercise restraint in addressing this private matter. ‘In the interest of my family’s privacy and protection, I will limit myself to this explanation,’ he concluded.
-
President: Heb gratieverzoek niet gezien; Kanhai toont bewijs van ontvangst
In a surprising turn of events, President Jennifer Simons has claimed she has neither received nor reviewed a pardon request for the four individuals convicted in the December 8 case. This statement was made in response to questions posed by journalist Jerrel Harderwijk of DTV Express during a public event on Monday evening. When asked how she would address the pardon request, Simons replied, ‘I don’t know; I haven’t seen it yet,’ suggesting the request had not been presented to her for consideration. However, Irvin Kanhai, the attorney representing the convicts, countered this claim by presenting evidence that the request had indeed been received by the President’s Cabinet. Kanhai displayed a document dated September 17, 2025, bearing a signature confirming receipt. The pardon request pertains to Ernst Gefferie, Stephanus Dendoe, Benny Brondenstein, who are currently serving their 15-year sentences in Santo Boma, and Iwan Dijksteel, who remains at large. Kanhai expressed his expectation that the President would act appropriately, stating, ‘These individuals deserve clemency. That is what I expect.’ The reason for the delay in the request reaching the President, despite its receipt by her Cabinet, remains unclear. The President’s Office has yet to issue further comments on the matter.