Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock continues to engage the Toshao of Orealla/Siparuta and remains in close contact with Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge on the detention and release of Guyanese fishermen by the Surinamese military over two weeks ago.
“Subsistence fishing is part of our Indigenous peoples’ culture which has been practiced for centuries. In the Amerindian Village of Orealla/Siparuta, subsistence fishing forms a part of the village life and economy. The Corentyne River is the village’s sole source of fresh fish,” the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs said in a statement on Friday.
The statement said that on January 22, the ministry received reports that nine residents of Orealla/Siparuta were arrested and taken into custody by Suriname’s military. The men: Armaan Edwards, Genovese Davair, Alistair Peneux, George Edwards, Ackley Felix, Bob Peneux, Rodrick Herman, Edward Herman and Clifton Edwards were engaged in subsistence fishing in the Corentyne River at the time. They were using hooks and lines and were in small boats and canoes, the statement said.
It related that the men were taken some 30 miles up-river to Apoera in Suriname where that country’s military processed and later released them. “Some had to paddle for hours to get back home,” the statement said.
The ministry related that the matter was immediately reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is engaging that ministry’s attention.
Meanwhile, the ministry engaged the Toshao of Orealla/Siparuta David Henry and some of the affected fishermen. In the process, Allicock was properly briefed on the issue and he continues to engage Henry and Greenidge, the statement said.
Greenidge had previously told Stabroek News that the ministry was investigating the reports.
