Suriname Justice Minister: ‘More time needed to create broad support for gay rights’

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – There is no homophobia behind the refusal of Suriname’s government to implement recommendations by the United Nations (UN) on gay rights. Justice and Police Minister Martin Misiedjan says this to DWT in reaction to news coverage of Suriname’s position on recognizing gay rights. “It is not true that we do not want to include the rights of homosexuals in our legislation”, Misiedjan explains. “We just need broader support to do that.” The report that has been publicized by the media has been compiled on the basis of recommendations the UN issued to Suriname in May after the country presented its annual report on the state of affairs with regard to human rights. The government’s rejection is not based on principle, but it is a matter of time. “Social relations in Suriname are still not such that the rights of this group can be recognized”, the report states.