“When I saw the deportation of women and children, I felt somewhat ashamed.” This was stated by DNA member Jerrel Pawiroredjo on Monday in the programme To The Point, regarding the deportation of Mennonites from Suriname. According to the parliamentarian, the government could have handled the situation differently.
Pawiroredjo stressed that Suriname is a country of immigrants. “With the exception of the Indigenous peoples, we are all immigrants here.” According to him, Suriname has traditionally welcomed foreigners. He therefore finds it regrettable that the Mennonites were expelled from the country in this manner.
The DNA member acknowledged that not everything proceeded according to the rules, but does not believe the Mennonites had bad intentions. According to him, they mainly wanted to practise their faith and engage in agricultural activities. “Our constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of, among other things, religion and ethnicity.”
Surinamese also involved in Mennonites’ arrival
Pawiroredjo acknowledged that a negative image of the Mennonites has emerged in society because of the deforestation that would accompany their agricultural plans. However, he pointed out that their arrival in Suriname did not happen overnight.
According to him, Surinamese were also involved in facilitating their arrival. He stated that even ministers played a role in this. Although he does not wish to directly blame anyone, he believes it is unfair to place full responsibility on the Mennonites.
The parliamentarian further pointed out that Surinamese in the same area hold land allocations for thousands of hectares of agricultural land. According to him, however, these lands are not being used productively.
“The Surinamese do nothing and are speculating with the land; this involves politicians from different parties.”
Criticism of damage caused by gold sector
Pawiroredjo also drew a comparison between the possible environmental damage caused by the Mennonites’ agricultural activities and the damage he says is currently being caused by the gold sector.
He stated that gold mining has far greater consequences for Suriname’s forests. “Once the gold is gone, that area cannot be used for a hundred years and longer.”
According to the DNA member, the state has issued concessions as a result of which large parts of the forest have been destroyed. In doing so, he referred to the Saramaccarivier, which he said has been polluted by cyanide.
Old plantations as an alternative for agriculture
Pawiroredjo regrets that, according to him, the government did not sufficiently investigate whether the Mennonites could engage in agricultural activities at other locations.
He pointed out that such activities could contribute to national production and food security.
Although he stressed that he is against deforestation, he believes there were possibilities to accommodate the group on existing agricultural land. According to him, old plantations could, for example, be brought back into cultivation.
According to Pawiroredjo, this would not only have made it possible for the government to prevent the deportation, but also to stimulate agricultural production.
