In March 2003, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination stated that it had received extensive evidence of serious human rights violations against the indigenous inhabitants of Suriname. In Decision 3(62) on March 21, the Committee found that the indigenous peoples of Suriname, including the Maroons and the Amerindians, are faced with persistent and pervasive racial discrimination in Suriname, receive substandard health care and education, and are faced with consistent refusal by the government to recognize their land rights. Indeed, the government has not only balked at such recognition, but has allowed loggers, gold miners and foreign mining companies to enter sensitive and protected areas.
Suriname is a small country on the north-east coast of South America, slightly larger than the US state of Georgia. Thirteen percent of its 460,000 people are indigenous inhabitants, and claim lands within the forested interior of the country. There are nine distinct indigenous groups, including the Arawak, Carib, Trio and Wayana, spread out in 35 communities throughout the country. There are also six distinct Maroon peoples living in Suriname, including the Saramaka, N’djuka, Matawai, Kwinti, Aluku, and Paramaka. The Maroons are descendants of escaped slaves who maintain distinctive cultures based on a mix of African and Amerindian traditions; their communities have been continuously present since the 17th and 18th centuries. The rights of these peoples are not recognized by the government, and they have no say in the economic developments that threaten their way of life. Suriname is the only country in the Western hemisphere that does not officially recognize, in one form or another, the rights of indigenous peoples.
Since Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975 the country has sought new sources of income, resulting in widespread and aggressive exploitation of natural resources. Amerindian and Maroon communities have been forced to relocate from their homes to make way for mining and forestry interests. They have been frequent victims of violent intimidation tactics on the part of miners and loggers eager to gain access to their valuable lands. Local and international organizations have been involved in the struggle for human rights in Suriname, but their efforts have been circumscribed by the fact that the country lacks coherent policies for dealing with resource management and human rights issues. What’s more, the government has no system for enforcement and monitoring of the few rules that are in place, thus allowing many violators to get away with atrocities.
In 1985, Suriname ratified a treaty called the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which required the country to submit reports every four years explaining the progress it has made in order to comply with the Convention. Suriname has not submitted any reports to the Committee since the Convention was ratified, leading to the body’s recent conclusion that serious violations of the rights of indigenous communities are being committed. The UN Committee noted in its ruling that employment, education, culture and participation in all sectors of society, lack of recognition for rights concerning land and resources, the refusal to consult indigenous groups about the environmental activities of companies, and the dumping of mercury on indigenous lands all contribute to the poor health of indigenous peoples and their environment.
The UN Committee has required that Suriname submit a report by June 30, 2003 that will address indigenous peoples’ rights to own, develop, and control their communal lands and resources and to participate fully and equally in public life. But many people harbor fundamental doubts about the efficiency and effectiveness of Suriname’s government. Fergus MacKay, Coordinator of the Forest Peoples Programme’s Three Guyanas and Legal/Human Rights Program, is a longtime observer of the region. He notes, “I don't know what Suriname will do. My guess is that they won't do anything unless they absolutely have to and then only at the last possible minute to avoid substantial international criticism or possible problems with donor agencies that give them money.”
