A/HRC/18/2
(a)
The national report submitted by Suriname in accordance with the annex to
Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/11/SUR/1);
(b)
The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/11/SUR/2);
(c)
The summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/11/SUR/3).
482. At its 23rd meeting, on 22 September 2011, the Human Rights Council considered
and adopted the outcome of the review of Suriname (see section C below).
483. The outcome of the review of Suriname comprises the report of the Working Group
on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/18/12), the views of Suriname concerning the
recommendations and/or conclusions, and its voluntary commitments and replies presented
before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not
sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (see also
A/HRC/18/12/Add.1).
1.
Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or
conclusions, its voluntary commitments and the outcome
484. Suriname thanked States Members of the Human Rights Council for the
recommendations made in response to its national report, which had prompted an additional
in-depth evaluation by the Government of the national situation of human rights.
485. Suriname stated that a significant number of the recommendations had been
accepted after careful deliberations. It felt that the recommendations provided a sound
foundation for the implementation of policy aimed at ensuring more effective protection
and enjoyment of human rights. They furthermore constituted a solid framework for the
nation’s human rights agenda. The framework encompassed socioeconomic, political and
cultural rights, as well as an outline of the necessary conditions for adequate enjoyment of
the said rights.
486. Even though the diversity of the recommendations that had been accepted presented
an additional challenge to Suriname, they would be dealt with by the State in a most
positive manner.
487. The delegation of Suriname stated that the recommendations accepted by the
Government had been grouped in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the addendum to the report of the
Working Group.
488. The recommendations that could not be accepted related to issues that were
currently being analysed by the Government in view of their prospective impact on society
as a whole. Broad national discussion and consensus were needed.
489. One such issue was the claim to land rights. Subsequent Governments had, each in
their own way, tried to deal with the issue of land rights. In doing so, two things had to be
taken into account. On the one hand, there was the claim made by the Maroon and
indigenous people to the land on which they had lived, cultivated and utilized for centuries.
This claim was aimed at the State’s recognition that they, the Maroon and indigenous
people, had a right to the land.
490. On the other hand, the Government deemed that the entire territory of Suriname
belonged to the State, with the exception of those instances in which a third party could
prove otherwise. Furthermore, the State had decreed that each Surinamese citizen,
including those of Maroon and indigenous descent, was entitled to request land within the
State’s domain.
150
GE.12-17756
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