De Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname (VIDS; Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs in Suriname) and several traditional authorities voiced their concerns on Sunday, 1 November 2026, during a peaceful action in Cabendadorp, Para district, over the lack of concrete measures to protect their rights and living areas.
In addition to the recognition of collective land rights, the fish deaths in Pikin Saron, the allocation of land and concessions, and the failure to implement international court rulings were also discussed. The action took place on the eve of the UN human rights review of Suriname in Geneva.
Village chiefs and representatives of Indigenous communities from various parts of Suriname were present at the meeting. Several traditional authorities made statements about the problems facing their communities.
According to VIDS director Cylene France, the peaceful action is intended to jointly draw attention to the position of Indigenous peoples and the protection of their traditional residential and living areas.
In an interview with Key News, France stated that representatives of the traditional authorities and village residents from all six regions had come to Cabendadorp to make their voices heard.
Village chief of Pikin Saron: Promises have not been fulfilled
One of the issues prominently raised during the action was the fish deaths in the Saramaccarivier and their consequences for the residents of Pikin Saron and surrounding communities.
The village chief of Pikin Saron spoke about the impact of the pollution on the daily lives of residents. The fish deaths have affected the food supply and income of families dependent on the river.
President Jennifer Simons visited Pikin Saron on 30 July 2026, where environmental problems and possible solutions were discussed during a krutu (consultation) with residents and the traditional authorities.
During that visit, compensation for affected residents, an investigation into the pollution and measures to prevent a recurrence were among the issues discussed. Key News previously reported on this in the article President promises laboratory and compensation after pollution of the Saramaccarivier.
According to the village administration, however, there has been little noticeable improvement since those discussions.
“Promises were made, but that is as far as it went,” it was stated during the meeting.
The dissatisfaction is mainly directed at the lack of visible results for affected residents.
On 28 August, President Simons visited the area again, this time together with representatives of the Nationale Milieu Autoriteit (NMA; National Environmental Authority). According to an official government statement, high concentrations of chemical substances, heavy metals and cyanide were found in the river water and in fish during testing. The government then indicated that it wanted to work with the communities concerned on solutions.
The village administration of Pikin Saron now states that the community still experiences insufficient improvement.
Land allocations and concessions remain a cause for concern
In addition to the fish deaths, attention was drawn during the peaceful action to the allocation of land and concessions within the traditional residential and living areas of Indigenous communities.
According to the authorities present, communities are insufficiently involved in decisions about their areas. There are fears that economic activities and land allocations may affect their living environment, livelihoods and traditional way of life.
VIDS therefore advocates for legal recognition of collective land rights and genuine participation by traditional authorities in decisions that directly affect Indigenous communities.
Implementation of Kaliña and Lokono ruling demanded again
Another important issue was the failure to fully implement the Kaliña and Lokono ruling. On 25 November 2015, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that Suriname had insufficiently protected the collective rights of the Indigenous peoples concerned. Among other things, the Court ordered the State to demarcate their traditional areas and legally recognise collective property rights.
The official Dutch translation of the ruling is available through the Surinamese government.
More than ten years after this ruling, the traditional authorities believe that the necessary implementation has still not been sufficiently realised.
The recognition of collective rights and the protection of traditional living areas therefore once again form part of the central demands of Indigenous communities.
VIDS sees insufficient progress since previous UN review
VIDS director France told Key News that the organisation contributed to a shadow report for the fourth round of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
This report is separate from the national report submitted by the Surinamese government. It contains findings and concerns about the human rights situation of Indigenous communities.
According to France, VIDS already shared its findings in writing in April. Among other things, it found that, according to the organisation, insufficient progress has been made in implementing previous recommendations.
She pointed out that a draft law for the protection of the collective rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples has been prepared, but that it has not yet led to the desired legal recognition.
She also criticised amendments that, according to her, were made to the draft law without sufficient participation by the communities concerned.
VIDS demands that Indigenous peoples not only be consulted, but genuinely involved in decisions that determine their future.
Elders pass the struggle on to young people
The presence of many older village residents stood out during the action. France stressed that the older generation plays an important role in preserving culture, knowledge and the traditional way of life.
At the same time, she believes that more young people need to be involved in the struggle for collective rights.
“The elders are leaving, but the young people still have to come,” France said.
According to her, it is ultimately about the future of the next generations, who must also be able to enjoy their forests, creeks, rivers and traditional living areas.
VIDS therefore wants to continue investing in awareness among young people and their involvement in the protection of Indigenous rights.
Suriname faces UN human rights review on Monday
The peaceful action is taking place at an important moment for Suriname. On Monday, 2 November 2026, the country will be reviewed in Geneva during the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review.
During this review, the Surinamese delegation must explain what measures have been taken since the previous review in 2021 to improve the human rights situation.
The meeting will take place from 09:00 to 12:30 in Geneva, corresponding to 05:00 to 08:30 in Suriname.
For VIDS and the village chiefs present, this international review provides an opportunity to once again draw attention to the legal recognition of collective rights, the protection of their living areas and the implementation of previous international recommendations and court rulings.
The organisation is looking forward with interest to the answers the Surinamese government will provide during the UN review.
