The government came under criticism in De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) on Tuesday, October 27, over inadequate provision of information on official foreign trips by government officials.
Government coordinator and Minister of Home Affairs Marinus Bee was initially unable to fully indicate which government officials were abroad and for what purpose they had left. After repeated questions from parliament, he offered his apologies and provided additional information about Vice President Gregory Rusland’s trip to the Netherlands.
During the meeting, several parliamentarians urged the government to inform parliament in a timely and complete manner about foreign trips by ministers and other government officials. According to the representatives, this issue has already been raised several times, without any structural improvement in the provision of information.
VHP parliamentary group leader Asiskumar Gajadien asked why the government had not voluntarily provided clarity about the absence of government officials. He stressed that parliament should not have to repeatedly ask for the same information.
Minister Bee then stated that Minister Adelien Wijnerman of Finance and Planning and Minister Patrick Brunings of Oil, Gas and Environment were abroad. He also announced that Vice President Gregory Rusland was about to leave for abroad.
Parmessar: parliament must know where vice president is going
NDP parliamentary group leader Rabin Parmessar considered the information provided insufficient. According to him, the government cannot merely state that the vice president is leaving without disclosing the destination and purpose of his trip.
Parmessar stated that parliament must know what work government officials carry out abroad and what results these visits yield.
He also asked why the government would still need written instructions to provide reports on official trips to parliament. According to the parliamentary group leader, this request had already been clearly made during earlier meetings.
DNA Speaker Ashwin Adhin indicated that he would check through the clerk’s office what correspondence had already taken place on this matter. If necessary, further written agreements can be made with the government on the manner in which travel reports are submitted to parliament, he said.
Bee acknowledges insufficient preparation
Gajadien then asked whether Minister Miquella Huur of Regional Development was also outside Suriname. He stressed that the government coordinator may be expected to have up-to-date and verified information about the whereabouts of ministers.
Bee subsequently acknowledged that his preparation for the questions had been insufficient.
“Perhaps I did not prepare sufficiently with regard to this matter. My apologies for that,” the minister stated.
He promised to prepare better in the future and to inform parliament more fully.
Rusland to UNESCO conference in The Hague
Later during the meeting, Bee nonetheless provided further details about Vice President Gregory Rusland’s foreign visit.
According to the minister, Rusland is travelling to the Netherlands at UNESCO’s invitation to take part in an international conference in The Hague. It concerns the fifth UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, to be held on October 29 and 30, 2026, at the World Forum.
International cooperation and concrete measures against racism and discrimination will be central during this meeting.
In addition to participating in the conference, Rusland will use the opportunity to hold bilateral talks, according to Bee. His agenda includes contacts with the Dutch royal household, representatives of the business community and the Surinamese diaspora community.
The minister indicated that King Willem-Alexander is also on the agenda. Whether a separate meeting between Rusland and the Dutch king has been definitively confirmed was not clear during the exchange discussed. The vice president is expected back in Suriname on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Parliament wants structural reporting
The discussion on official foreign trips does not stand alone. During earlier meetings, parliamentarians also urged for a fixed procedure under which ministers report on their foreign activities after returning.
According to the representatives, it must be clear which discussions were held, which agreements were made on behalf of Suriname and what concrete benefits such visits bring to the country.
Bee stated that the government is willing to cooperate and to await further correspondence from the DNA Speaker.
The matter underscores the ongoing discussion between the government and parliament on transparency and accountability in official foreign trips.
