De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament, DNA) has postponed the substantive debate on the private member’s bill amending the Law on Surinamese Nationality and Residency until Monday, September 7. The initiators want to incorporate additional points of attention and have announced that they will submit an amendment.
The debate had initially been scheduled for Thursday, September 3, at 11 a.m. Parliamentary Speaker Michael Adhin opened the meeting later that afternoon and announced that the final report had been issued during the procedural meeting. This formally cleared the way for the public debate.
Before the debate, however, the initiators presented parliament with additional insights and points of attention concerning the bill. According to DNA, these require further substantive study. The submitters have also announced that they will introduce an amendment.
The postponement gives the other parliamentarians the opportunity to study the announced amendment and the additional points. The debate will continue on Monday, September 7, at 9:30 a.m.
DNA had initially been due to go into recess on Friday, September 4. As debate on the bill must continue, it was decided to postpone the recess.
The initiative proposal was submitted on August 19 by Ebu Jones, Steven Reyme, Jeffrey Lau and Edgar Sampie. It is intended to enable a more targeted nationality policy for foreigners whose contribution is considered important to Suriname. Special attention is being given to professional athletes.
The committee of rapporteurs consists of Silvana Afonsoewa, who serves as chair, Ameerani Jarbandhan, Ronny Asabina, Aziez Salarbaks, Dew Sharman, Dorothy Hoever and Michael Marengo.
