Submitted: Diaspora: Surinamese nationality must be a right! Not a political favour

The Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) will consider the private member’s bill to amend the Wet op het Surinamerschap en het Ingezetenschap on Monday, 7 September. According to Dr Ruben F. del Prado, the debate offers a historic opportunity to finally regulate the relationship between Suriname and the global diaspora fairly and sustainably. However, he warns that the proposed Nota van Wijziging is too limited and leaves too much room for political and administrative selection.

The immediate reason for the legislative amendment is the position of Natio players of Surinamese descent. Due to an international deadline of 24 September, swift decision-making is needed to enable these players to represent Suriname in time.

Del Prado understands the urgency and supports an expedited procedure for the players concerned. However, he believes that time pressure must not lead to careless legislation that later causes legal and social problems.

“Let us help Natio. That does not mean that our parliament should pass a law that creates rights for a small group and excludes thousands of others with exactly the same Surinamese descent,” he states.

Contradiction in the proposed arrangement

The proposed arrangement states that Surinamese nationality is acquired “by operation of law”. At the same time, this acquisition depends on a nomination by a minister and a personal designation by the president.

According to Del Prado, this is legally contradictory.

“If a minister must nominate someone and the president must designate that person, then there is no automatic right. Nationality then remains dependent on a political and administrative decision.”

He points out that clear and objective criteria are lacking. Transparency, security checks, the duty to provide reasons, and the possibilities for objection and appeal are also insufficiently regulated. This may create room for political influence, unequal treatment and arbitrariness.

Nationality is not a reward

According to Del Prado, Surinamese nationality must not be used as a reward for sporting achievements, scientific merits, holding a special position or economic benefit.

“Nationality is not a medal or distinction. You cannot grant it only to people who at a particular time are considered important or useful to Suriname.”

If Surinamese descent forms the main connection with the country, then, according to him, that connection must be recognised under the same objective rules for everyone of Surinamese descent. No distinction should be made on the basis of profession, education, income, achievements, current nationality or country of residence.

This is in line with the principle of jus sanguinis: nationality based on descent.

The law should therefore not be aimed solely at a small number of selected PSA holders, athletes, senior staff or scientists. The arrangement must be accessible to persons of Surinamese descent in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, the Caribbean and all other countries where the Surinamese diaspora resides.

Registration instead of political selection

Del Prado advocates an arrangement under which the government legally establishes a person’s identity and Surinamese descent. Anyone who meets predetermined conditions should be registered through the same procedure.

The legislator can determine which generations fall under the arrangement, how the family connection must be demonstrated and which official documents are required. The same checks on identity, descent, fraud, criminal records and national security must apply to everyone.

Every decision must be clearly substantiated. Anyone who is rejected must have the opportunity to lodge an objection or appeal.

Nor should anyone receive Surinamese nationality without being informed of it or consenting to it. According to Del Prado, this may have unforeseen consequences for another nationality and for the legal position of the person concerned.

Proposed interim solution for Natio

To meet the 24 September deadline, Del Prado proposes the following practical interim solution:

1. Immediately introduce an expedited procedure for the Natio players concerned.
2. Make it legally clear that this is a temporary emergency solution and not a permanent exclusive benefit for athletes.
3. Simultaneously develop one clear and transparent arrangement for all persons of Surinamese descent.
4. Use registration and legal determination instead of political selection.
5. Include the same identity, descent, fraud and security checks for everyone.
6. Ensure reasoned decisions and effective legal protection.

According to Del Prado, expedited consideration for athletes due to a fixed international deadline is justifiable. An exclusive right to nationality for athletes, scientists or other selected groups is not.

Call from the diaspora

On 19 January 2026, an internationally composed group of fourteen Surinamers addressed an open letter to the president of the Republic of Suriname, the speaker of De Nationale Assemblée and the minister of Buitenlandse Zaken, International Business en Internationale Samenwerking.

The group called on the government to finally develop existing obligations towards persons of Surinamese descent into a coherent national diaspora policy. It also advocated the establishment of a Directoraat Diasporabeleid, which could coordinate registration, services, knowledge transfer, investments and cooperation with diaspora organisations.

Read the open letter to the president of the Republic of Suriname here.

According to Del Prado, one of the signatories to the open letter, the current debate must go beyond the urgent situation surrounding Natio.

“This is an opportunity to establish a fair arrangement for the entire Surinamese diaspora after fifty years. We must act quickly where necessary, but with equal rights, sound security safeguards and legal certainty for all Surinamers worldwide.”

His core message to the government and parliament is clear:

“No favours. No arbitrariness. One transparent arrangement for everyone of Surinamese descent.”

Submitted by Dr Ruben F. del Prado
Media contact: dekati@dekati.org | WhatsApp: (+597) 847-0372