Chairman Michael Adhin of De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) rejects the VHP parliamentary group’s accusation that member Ramsukul’s right to speak in parliament was violated. According to Adhin, the issue concerned the speaking order and the parliamentarian’s absence when his turn was announced. He proposes a new procedure to address such situations in future.
In a statement dated 9 October 2026, Adhin responds to a press statement by the VHP parliamentary group of the same date. The group states that Ramsukul was unlawfully restricted in his right to speak during the parliamentary proceedings on 8 and 9 October.
According to Adhin, Ramsukul was not denied the floor because he had not yet taken the floor. The DNA chairman refers to the Rules of Procedure, which, according to him, allow a speaker to be denied the floor in cases of departing from the subject, using insulting expressions or disrupting order. According to Adhin, none of these grounds applied.
Absent when announced
Adhin states that the speaking order for members of the Commissie van Rapporteurs (Committee of Rapporteurs) is determined in advance and is included in the convocation for the public meeting. According to his statement, Ramsukul was not in the meeting chamber when his turn was announced.
VHP parliamentary group leader Gajadien then requested a suspension. Member Plein, who at that time was chairing the meeting as first deputy to the vice-chairman, rejected that request and gave the floor to the next speaker.
According to Adhin, this is in line with established parliamentary practice: anyone who is not present when announced loses their speaking turn in that round. He states that this practice has previously been applied to both coalition and opposition members. Parliamentary group leader Asabina reportedly confirmed during the meeting that the same had happened to him during the previous parliamentary term.
Options to contribute after all
After Adhin had taken over chairing the meeting, he says he put the matter before parliament and explored the possibility of allowing Ramsukul to speak after all. Following the discussion, he decided to maintain the existing practice.
“Anyone who sets aside an established practice for one member sets it aside for everyone and turns a rule into a favour,” Adhin said.
The chairman stresses that, according to him, Ramsukul retains his speaking turn in the second round. As a member of the Commissie van Rapporteurs, he may also be granted a third speaking turn. He can also take part in the debate through interjections with the chairman’s permission.
Proposal for a brief suspension
Adhin acknowledges that the Rules of Procedure contain no specific provision on absence when a speaking turn is announced. He therefore wants to introduce a procedure for members of the Commissie van Rapporteurs who temporarily have to leave the chamber.
The proposal entails that a committee member informs the chairman of their departure in advance. If their turn arrives before the member has returned, a brief suspension may be called to allow them to return to the chamber. The established speaking order will remain in force.
Adhin wants to submit this procedure for decision at the next Huishoudelijke Vergadering. He will also submit the proposal to the ad-hoccommissie Herziening Reglement van Orde.
The DNA chairman regrets the VHP parliamentary group’s departure from the meeting chamber and calls on it to return. According to him, the consideration of legislation benefits from the input of all parliamentarians.
