标签： Suriname

Academic operations at Suriname’s Anton de Kom University (AdeKUS) have ground to a complete halt as scientific staff resumed their suspended strike action on Monday. The renewed work stoppage cancels all educational activities including lectures, examinations, tests, and thesis supervision indefinitely.

The University Scientific Staff Association (VWPU) initially paused their strike on October 15th following a request from Education Minister Dirk Currie, who established an expert team to restart stalled negotiations regarding the 2025 Collective Labor Agreement and salary adjustments.

However, according to VWPU representatives, the ministerial team convened only once, with several members admitting they hadn’t reviewed necessary documentation. Subsequent communication completely ceased despite the association’s November 28th deadline for proposals.

With no response from the education ministry, the academic staff association escalated matters by writing directly to President Jennifer Simons requesting dialogue. This appeal similarly received no official response.

During an emergency general meeting, faculty members unanimously voted to resume their strike until the government engages in meaningful negotiations. The association emphasizes they are not bargaining for salary increases but rather seeking to restore disrupted compensation ratios within the existing pay structure.

While expressing regret for the impact on students, VWPU notes that scientific staff themselves suffer significant consequences from the paralyzed educational process, highlighting the mutual damage caused by the ongoing dispute.

In a decisive enforcement action, Dutch authorities have temporarily closed a supermarket in Paramaribo for persistent violations of food safety regulations. The Economic Control Service (ECD), operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (EZOTI), executed the closure on December 8, 2025, following the discovery of unlabeled chicken parts during a routine inspection.

The enforcement action comes after the retailer had previously received formal warnings for identical violations. Despite these warnings, inspectors found the business continued to offer products without proper labeling, potentially exposing consumers to health risks and denying them essential product information.

Government officials emphasized that food retailers bear full responsibility for compliance with consumer protection and food safety legislation. The ministry’s statement highlighted the mandatory nature of cooperation with inspection agencies and reiterated that businesses must proactively adhere to regulatory requirements to avoid sanctions.

Authorities also encouraged citizens to report suspected violations, including price gouging or smuggling activities, through official channels. The ECD reaffirmed that maintaining food safety standards and protecting consumers remain top priorities within their ongoing supervisory mission.

This case demonstrates the Netherlands’ strengthened approach to regulatory enforcement in the retail food sector, particularly regarding labeling requirements that enable consumers to make informed choices about their purchases.

Tens of thousands of women across Brazil’s major cities staged massive demonstrations on Sunday, demanding immediate action against escalating gender-based violence following a record surge in femicide cases and several high-profile atrocities that have shocked the nation.

From Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo, women of all generations marched alongside male allies, carrying signs with messages like “Enough! Enough macho behavior” in Portuguese. The protests specifically targeted femicide, rape, and systemic misogyny, while calling for men to actively join their cause.

The movement gained momentum after several brutal cases captured national attention. Alline de Souza Pedrotti, whose sister was murdered by a male coworker on November 28 in Rio de Janeiro, attended the Copacabana beachfront rally. “I’m shattered by grief,” Pedrotti told The Associated Press, “but I’m fighting through the pain and won’t stop. We need legislative changes and new protocols to prevent these crimes.”

Other shocking incidents include Taynara Souza Santos, 31, who lost both legs after being trapped under her ex-boyfriend’s car and dragged for a kilometer on concrete in São Paulo. In Florianópolis, English teacher Catarina Kasten was raped and strangled on November 21 while heading to a swimming lesson.

According to the 2025 report by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety, over one-third of Brazilian women experienced sexual or gender-based violence in the past year—the highest rate since tracking began in 2017. Last year recorded 1,492 femicide victims, the most since Brazil’s 2015 femicide law took effect.

Juliana Martins, gender violence expert at the Forum, noted: “We’re witnessing not just increasing numbers, but greater intensity and brutality in these attacks. Women’s growing visibility in public spheres has triggered violent backlash aimed at reinforcing female subordination.”

Protesters erected dozens of black crosses in Rio while wearing stickers reading “machismo kills” and green scarves symbolizing abortion access demands. The demonstrations highlighted how former President Jair Bolsonaro’s erosion of women’s rights policies emboldened anti-female sentiment, according to 79-year-old former architect Lizete de Paula.

As 45-year-old father Joao Pedro Cordão emphasized: “Men have a duty to combat misogyny not just at protests, but in daily life. Only then can we end—or at least reduce—the current violence against women.”

Suriname Police Force (KPS) has announced a significant escalation of security protocols nationwide in response to escalating criminal activities and anticipated holiday season crowds. The comprehensive strategy involves heightened police surveillance at strategic locations across the country to address both organized crime and street-level criminality.

Despite consistent successes in dismantling criminal networks, KPS authorities acknowledge the persistent emergence of new criminal organizations. Rather than scaling back operations, law enforcement agencies are doubling down on their efforts with maximum deployment of resources and personnel. The approach includes intensive road checkpoints, enhanced visible presence in high-risk areas, and expanded application of Special Investigative Powers legislation.

Police officials emphasize that these coordinated measures aim to restrict criminal mobility while enhancing public safety for all citizens. The strategy specifically targets the anticipated increase in criminal activity during the festive period, with authorities implementing proactive measures to prevent potential security breaches.

KPS has issued a public appeal for community vigilance, urging citizens to promptly report suspicious activities or disturbances. Law enforcement officials stress that public cooperation and willingness to report anomalies are critical components for the success of the nationwide security operation.

The police force assures citizens that public safety remains their unwavering priority while requesting public understanding regarding the intensified security measures expected to continue through the coming weeks. Officials emphasize that these temporary inconveniences are necessary for maintaining long-term public security.

Suriname’s De Surinaamsche Bank N.V. (DSB) launched the festive December season in grand style with the fifth edition of Kresneti Fatu, an event made particularly significant by coinciding with the bank’s 160th anniversary celebrations. The festival emphasized community cohesion, joyful camaraderie, and the celebration of meaningful shared moments.

The charitable dimension of the event saw proceeds from DSB’s food stands donated to Stichting SU Aid, which this year will direct its support to the hematology and oncology department of Sint Vincentius Hospital, providing crucial assistance to medical care in these specialized fields.

Young attendees enjoyed a specially designed children’s area featuring creative craft activities, bounce houses, and dynamic dance workshops conducted by the Myztikals group. These young participants later showcased their newfound skills during the evening program, delivering proud moments for watching parents.

The stage program presented a diverse array of performances blending dance, vocal presentations, and acts from both established and emerging artists. A particularly spontaneous and heartfelt moment occurred when the audience collectively sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to honor Father Esteban Kross. The festive evening culminated in a spectacular laser and fireworks display that illuminated the night sky.

Looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, DSB has announced special year-end celebrations in keeping with its anniversary year. The bank will host a distinctive closing event at the facade of its headquarters building, promising various performances and a traditional pagara ceremony to bid farewell to the year in elegant style.

Suriname observed a solemn memorial ceremony on Monday at Fort Zeelandia to honor the fifteen victims brutally tortured and executed on December 8, 1982. The gathering brought together bereaved families, citizens, diplomats, and representatives from civil society organizations at the exact historical location where the executions occurred, serving as both remembrance and call for sustained vigilance.

Sunil Oemrawsingh, Chairman of the December 8, 1982 Foundation, led the emotionally charged ceremony. In his poignant address, he emphasized that commemoration extends beyond mere reflection, serving to strengthen national consciousness. “Remembering constitutes a moral duty,” Oemrawsingh stated. “It represents our collective promise that such atrocities must never recur in our society.”

The ceremony featured significant diplomatic presence, with ambassadors from the Netherlands, France, and the United States attending in traditional demonstration of support for human rights and justice values. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands had previously confirmed that Ambassador Walther Oostelbos would lay a wreath on behalf of the Dutch nation—a gesture Oemrawsingh acknowledged as symbolizing the mutual respect characterizing the annual commemoration.

Oemrawsingh’s speech highlighted the persistent anguish surrounding one principal suspect who remains at large despite a definitive conviction. “What purpose does justice serve if punishments remain unenforced?” he questioned, stressing that crimes against humanity must not be subject to political pressure or granted clemency.

The foundation chairman referenced President Jennifer Simons’ 2024 statements asserting judicial independence from partisan interests. “Only a robust rule of law can ensure justice remains immune to political arbitrariness,” Oemrawsingh affirmed.

Following the addresses, bereaved families initiated the symbolic floral tribute at the memorial site, followed by ambassadors and other dignitaries. Citizens subsequently participated in the ritual, with many placing flowers in personal tribute.

The ceremony concluded in reflective silence, with participants collectively acknowledging the enduring scar that the December 1982 tragedy has left on Suriname’s historical consciousness.

The Surinamese government has allocated SRD 270 million to revitalize the national school feeding initiative, marking a significant commitment to educational welfare. President Jennifer Simons has consistently emphasized the program’s fundamental principle: “No child should attend school hungry. All children must eat, and all children must go to school.” This declaration underscores the administration’s dedication to resuming the previously suspended program starting December 8th after comprehensive evaluation.

Originally launched in 2023 through a deviation resolution, the program aimed to provide daily bread meals to children in vulnerable circumstances. The current administration has shifted toward a more sustainable and transparent approach, deliberately avoiding another deviation resolution. Instead, the government conducted a public tender on November 21, 2025, to ensure structured and accountable implementation.

The revitalized program will initially serve over 15,000 children with daily sandwiches while providing hot meals to nearly 2,900 students. This expansion significantly increases the program’s reach compared to previous years, incorporating more schools across various regions. The government plans continued gradual expansion to encompass more beneficiaries in the coming period.

A strategic pivot involves increasingly sourcing local agricultural products for meal preparation. This shift aims not only to enhance nutritional quality but also to stimulate domestic agro-production and generate employment opportunities within the food supply chain. Government officials highlight multiple benefits: nutritious school meals contribute to improved academic performance, higher attendance rates, and enhanced child health outcomes.

The policy remains anchored to one core principle: hunger should never obstruct learning, development, and growth. This holistic approach addresses both immediate nutritional needs and long-term economic sustainability through local agricultural support.