The 63 Mennonites who were removed from the Masoniagebied last week are, according to reporting by DTV Express, actually being deported from Suriname today, Saturday, October 31, 2026. The group, including three babies and several young children, is reportedly on board an aircraft leaving Suriname.
The deportation is taking place while a second summary proceeding, which attorney Derrick Veira has brought directly against the State on behalf of the Mennonites, will only be heard by the court on Monday, November 2. Those involved are seeking to prevent their forced departure through the court, after an initial summary proceeding was dismissed earlier this week.
First summary proceeding dismissed on Thursday
The first lawsuit was brought by Suriname Green Energy Agriculture N.V. (SGE), the company involved in the agricultural project for which the Mennonites came to Suriname. Through attorney Derrick Veira, the company asked the court to prohibit the State from deporting those involved.
The case was heard on Tuesday, October 27. During the hearing, Veira argued that applications for an Authorisation for Short Stay (MKV) had been submitted, but that the government had not responded to them, according to him. The State countered that the foreign nationals concerned did not have the required residence documents.
On Thursday, October 29, district court judge Deborah Haakmat-Sniphout dismissed SGE’s claim. According to the judge, the company does have an economic interest in the Mennonites’ stay, but that interest does not outweigh the State’s authority to enforce immigration legislation.
The ruling shows that the State had previously pledged cooperation in obtaining permits for the agricultural project, but that this commitment was conditional on compliance with the legal requirements. According to the judge, no unconditional right of residence could be inferred from this.
The judge therefore did not impose a prohibition on the State from deporting those involved. SGE was also ordered to pay the legal costs.
Veira files second summary proceeding directly on behalf of Mennonites
Following the dismissal of the first claim, attorney Derrick Veira initiated a second summary proceeding against the State on Thursday, October 29. Unlike in the first procedure, in which SGE acted as the claimant, Veira directly represents the Mennonites concerned in the new lawsuit. The hearing in this summary proceeding is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.
In the new petition, which concerns halting the deportation and alleged unlawful conduct by the State, Veira argues that the families came to Suriname as part of an agricultural project for which, according to him, government cooperation had previously been pledged.
The attorney states that the Mennonites made substantial investments on the basis of these commitments. He also objects to the manner in which the group was removed from the Masoniagebied and subsequently transferred to Kraka.
Veira further states that a request to review a residence decision has been submitted to the president. According to him, the decision on this must be awaited before the authorities proceed with deportation.
With reports of the group’s departure on Saturday, the situation arises that the Mennonites may already be outside Suriname when their second summary proceeding is heard on Monday.
From Masoniagebied to Kraka
The matter began when the authorities decided to take action against the Mennonites who had settled in the Masoniagebied to undertake agricultural activities.
On July 20, 2026, they were given a three-month deadline to leave the area through a bailiff’s writ. According to the authorities, those involved did not meet the legal requirements for residence and work in Suriname.
On Friday, October 23, police began the operation in the area. The group was subsequently transferred under police escort to Kraka in the district of Para.
Those involved stayed there pending further decisions on their residence status and possible deportation.
Police announced charter flight
Following Thursday’s ruling, police spokesperson Michel Elskamp announced that preparations for the deportation of the 63 Mennonites were continuing.
According to Elskamp, the group would be removed from Suriname on a charter flight. Police stated that the operation was being carried out in accordance with applicable immigration legislation and in consultation with the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service).
It has meanwhile emerged that those involved are now on board an aircraft. Separate official confirmation of the actual departure and the flight’s destination is not yet available.
It is also still unclear what consequences the deportation will have for the hearing of the second summary proceeding on Monday, November 2.
