Human rights in Suriname are currently recognised under the Constitution of the Republic of Suriname of 1987.[1] Suriname is a constitutional democracy with a president elected by the unicameral National Assembly.[2] The National Assembly underwent elections in 2020, electing Chan Santokhi as president. The National Assembly has a commission pertaining to issues regarding the country's human rights. The Human Rights Office of the Ministry of Justice and Police is responsible for advising the government on regional and international proceedings against the state concerning human rights.[2] Human rights in Suriname is periodically reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), on which it is often believed the level of human rights do not yet meet international standards.[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.[2]
- ^ Constitution of the Republic of Suriname. "The Constitution of the Republic of Suriname". Bulletin of Acts and Degrees 1987 No. 166.
- ^ a b c Kambel, Ellen-Rose (2007). Caribbean Land and Development Revisited. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 69–80. ISBN 9781349534609.
- ^ Submission by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees For the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' Compilation Report Universal Periodic Review: 2nd Cycle, 25th Session – Suriname. UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). September 2015.