Human rights in Suriname

[3] Suriname currently continues to face various human rights issues, from the beginning of the country's history with Surinam's Maroons who are part of the population of African descent, to more modern day issues such as corruption, human trafficking, abuse and violence against women and children, child labour, and criminal defamation laws.

Whilst there are no formal restrictions on the press, actions undertaken by the government and non-government actors overrule the ability that of the independent media to continue their work.

Media outlets in Suriname have now begun intermittently running articles with only the Initials of the journalists, as opposed to their full names.

Journalists in Suriname are generally provided a minimal to low wage, making them vulnerable to bias and influence, further jeopardising the credibility of reporting.

[4] This practice creates difficulty for independent media outlets to retain qualified staff and impede upon their ability to report adequately on governmental activities.

[5] Suriname legislation provides citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage.

Official arrangements allowing victims to testify in special chambers at legal proceedings has been implemented to avoid intimidation by perpetrators.

[4] The Suriname government authorities operate a phone hotline for children requiring confidential advice and aid, servicing an average of to 80 calls daily.

The Suriname Youth Affairs Office actively promotes the awareness of sexual abuse, drugs and alcohol through a weekly television program.

[7] Nonetheless, women still continuously experience discrimination in various facets, including access and consideration in employment, and in rates of pay for equal or like-for-like work.

Suriname criminal law penalises persons responsible for the offering or procurement of child prostitution, with fines of up to SRD 100,000 and up to six years imprisonment.

[6] Suriname is the only country in the Americas that has not yet legally recognised the collective rights of the indigenous and tribal peoples to the lands and resources they actually occupy.

They were brought to Suriname mainly in the 1600s and later fled the slave plantations and established independent communities in the interior where they now live in conditions comparable to indigenous tribes.

[13] Many Amerindians and Maroons live in rural and under-developed areas with minimal and restricted access to education, employment, and medical and social services.

[14] Under articles 175, 175a and 176 of the Surinamese Penal Code, the law prohibits discrimination and hate speech based on sexual orientation, specifically protecting the LGBTQI community.

However, human rights groups, defence attorneys and the media continuously report instances of mistreatment by the police, including unnecessary use of force during arrests and beatings in prisons.

Whilst seen to generally uphold international standards, Suriname's 26 detention centres have been seen as impoverished for a long time – the prison cells are over-crowded and understaffed.

With a high prisoner-to-guard ration and lack of Emergency exits and evacuation drills, prison staff have no standard operating procedure and struggle to control inmates.