A number of Suriname’s key international partners have expressed support for democracy in that country in the wake of protests last month that saw the storming of the parliament building in Paramaribo.
A statement from the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Guyana and Suriname said that international partners, including the EU, represented by Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Helena König, as well as the Netherlands, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Poland, all represented by their respective Ambassadors (or their deputies) met yesterday with the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and members of the Surinamese government in Paramaribo.
“They welcomed Suriname’s commitment to democracy, freedom, equality and the respect for human rights and the rule of law, including the right to peaceful demonstration. They reiterated their concerns about the violent protests that occurred in Paramaribo on February 17th 2023, and expressed their support for the democratic institutions of Suriname, its democratically elected government and its people”, the statement said.
The international partners also recognized the economic difficulties facing the people of Suriname and the sacrifice that has to be made to rebalance the economy, with the aid of institutions like the International Monetary Fund and Inter-American Development Bank and through an inclusive dialogue.
“The international partners will keep supporting democracy in Suriname as they wish to see Suriname develop and its people prosper in a country where democracy continues to be upheld and the rule of law respected”, the statement said.
