Human rights organisations demand concrete action plan following UN recommendations to Suriname

According to BINI, Stichting Projekta and other involved organisations, several recommendations by UN member states align with the issues they previously raised in a joint shadow report. They advocate for a public implementation plan with clear timelines, budgets and responsible bodies.

On Monday, 2 November 2026, Suriname accounted for the human rights situation in the country during the fourth UPR cycle at the United Nations Human Rights Council. During this review, several countries made recommendations concerning, among other things, the protection of vulnerable groups, the legal status of Indigenous and tribal peoples, tackling violence and access to education and healthcare.

The civil society organisations point out that many of these issues have required attention for years, but that previous commitments have, in their view, been insufficiently translated into actual improvements.

The joint shadow report was submitted under the leadership of Stichting Projekta and BINI. VIDS, Women’s Rights Centre, STICRIS, Hadassah, Wan Okasi, Parea, IkSur and Dynamic Legal Advice also contributed.

Call for an independent human rights institution

One of the main recommendations concerns the establishment of an independent national human rights institution. Togo, Australia, Malaysia and Peru, among others, stressed that such an institution must comply with the international Paris Principles. According to the civil society organisations, legislation must guarantee that the institution can operate independently. Transparent appointment procedures, sufficient financial resources and an accessible complaints mechanism are also necessary.

During the review, the Surinamese delegation named 2027 as the target year for the institution to become operational. Colombia also drew attention to the independence and full functioning of the Constitutional Court. The civil society organisations had likewise pointed in their report to problems surrounding the functioning of this institution and the possible consequences for legal protection.

The Dominican Republic urged independent oversight of police conduct and investigations into excessive violence. In doing so, the organisations refer to the events in Pikin Saron, which are also addressed in their report.

More protection for victims of domestic violence

Shelter and support for victims of domestic and sexual violence also received attention during the UPR. The Netherlands advocated structural financial support for shelters managed by civil society organisations. According to the Netherlands, accessible shelter, qualified staff and victim-centred services must also be ensured throughout the country.

Belgium and Australia likewise stressed the importance of better shelter facilities. Canada and Mexico called on Suriname to adopt and effectively implement the revised legislation against domestic violence. According to the organisations, shelter institutions currently face staff shortages, insufficient capacity and uncertain funding. There are also limited opportunities to guide victims towards safe housing and independence after their stay in a shelter.

Togo further pointed to the need to extend legal protection against sexual violence and sexual harassment to civil servants. According to the civil society organisations, existing legislation in this area provides insufficient protection to employees in the public sector.

Land rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples back on the agenda

Recognition of the collective rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples was once again an important point of attention during the international review. Canada, Finland, Mexico and the Netherlands stressed that Suriname must take further steps to legally recognise and protect these rights. Canada explicitly referred to rulings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Costa Rica proposed developing a national protocol for free, prior and informed consent, internationally known as Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Mexico stressed that this consent must also be guaranteed when concessions are granted.

According to VIDS and IkSur, it is necessary not only for collective land rights to be legally recognised, but also for traditional authority structures and communities’ say over decisions affecting their residential and living areas. The organisations point out that economic activities and the granting of concessions may affect the continued existence and living environment of these communities.

Concerns over education and services in the interior

The rights of children, persons with disabilities and residents of the interior also received attention. Portugal called on Suriname to make the Child Ombudsman facility fully operational and to make sufficient resources available for this purpose. Estonia and Italy stressed the importance of a legal ban on corporal punishment of children in all circumstances.

The United Kingdom drew attention to the protection of children against sexual abuse, exploitation and human trafficking, with particular attention to rural areas and the interior. Panama advocated improvements to school infrastructure and the availability of qualified teachers in Indigenous and tribal communities.

Colombia and Malaysia made recommendations regarding the rights of persons with disabilities, including equal access to education, employment and public services. These issues had previously also been raised by Wan Okasi in the shadow report. The Dominican Republic further stressed that residents of the interior must receive equal access to healthcare, education and social protection.

Criticism of Suriname’s response on LGBTQI+ rights and abortion

Several countries also drew attention during the review to equal treatment and protection against discrimination. Spain and the United Kingdom advocated stronger legal protection against discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The civil society organisations want, among other things, the Civil Code and the Constitution to be amended to provide LGBTQI+ persons with equal protection in the areas of family, property and inheritance law.

Mexico also made a recommendation to decriminalise abortion at least under certain circumstances. The United Kingdom stressed the importance of confidential and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive healthcare, as well as comprehensive sex education.

BINI and the other organisations say they are concerned about the response of the Surinamese delegation. According to their statement, the delegation said that Suriname was culturally not yet ready for all rights related to abortion and LGBTQI+ persons. The organisations believe that cultural views must not be a reason for failing to comply with international human rights obligations. They stress that the state is responsible for combating discrimination and ensuring equal legal protection.

Organisations want measurable results

According to BINI, Stichting Projekta and the other organisations, the recommendations in Geneva offer a new opportunity to address structural shortcomings in human rights protection. They stress that the government must not limit itself to endorsing international recommendations, but must make clear which measures will be taken, when they will be implemented and what resources are available for this purpose.

They therefore call on the government and DNA to draw up a public implementation plan, so that society can follow the progress being made. According to the organisations, responsibility for demonstrable improvement of the human rights situation ultimately lies with the Surinamese state.