标签： Suriname

A significant controversy has emerged in Suriname surrounding a pardon request submitted by attorney Irvin Kanhai on behalf of four convicts in the high-profile 8 December case. The request, filed on September 17, 2025, with the President’s Cabinet, involves Stefanus Dendoe, Ernst Gefferie, Benny Brondenstein, and the fugitive Iwan Dijksteel. While Kanhai has provided evidence of submission, including a receipt shown to journalists, President Jennifer Simons claimed during a tribute event for the late NDP leader Desi Bouterse that she was unaware of any such request, stating it had not officially reached her. The situation escalated on Wednesday when a statement surfaced, allegedly signed by Dendoe, Gefferie, and Brondenstein, explicitly distancing themselves from the pardon petition. The statement, dated October 11, 2025, asserts that they never authorized Kanhai or anyone else to file the request on their behalf. The three convicts, currently in the medical ward of the Santo Boma penitentiary, have raised questions about the legitimacy of the request and their representation. The issue has sparked intense reactions across society and politics, with NDP Vice Chairman Ramon Abrahams suggesting that the matter had been previously discussed within the party, emphasizing the public’s will as reflected in recent elections. Kanhai has declined to comment, leaving the validity of the pardon request and its initiator unclear. The case threatens to become a sensitive political and legal issue, particularly as the four convicts are notably absent from the list of detainees set to receive pardons for Suriname’s 50th Independence Day.

Suriname and Guyana have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and infrastructural domains. This pledge was solidified during a high-level meeting between Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and Cooperation (BIS), Melvin Bouva, and his Guyanese counterpart, Hugh Todd, on Tuesday in Georgetown. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the International Business Conference, held in Guyana from October 14 to 16. The meeting built upon the recent visit of Guyanese President Irfaan Ali to Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons in September. Both ministers focused on actionable steps to implement the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP), which serves as the framework for collaboration between the two nations. Key areas of discussion included regional integration, trade, energy, agriculture, and tourism. The ministers highlighted the strategic significance of the Suriname-Guyana corridor, which is increasingly recognized as a vital economic zone linking the Caribbean with Latin America. They pledged to actively support this development in partnership with the private sector and multilateral organizations. Specific projects addressed during the meeting included the Corantijn Bridge initiative, the revitalization of the Canawaima Ferry Service, energy cooperation with a focus on sustainable alternatives, the reactivation of the Border Commission, and the operational resumption of SDCP committees by November 1. These committees will focus on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and energy. Both ministers agreed to hold regular consultations to monitor progress and evaluate the implementation of SDCP agreements. In a joint statement, they described the meeting as “constructive and forward-looking,” emphasizing stability, mutual benefit, and sustainable growth in the region. Minister Bouva was accompanied by Minister Andrew Baasaron of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Innovation, Ambassador Liselle Blankendal, Deputy Director Shailesh Ramsingh, and Second Secretary Lucille Starke-Esajas.

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.