Suriname, Brazil sign migration pact

(BBC) Suriname and Brazil have signed an agreement aimed at regulating migration between the two countries.

Suriname’s Foreign Minister Winston Lackin says the accord is a follow up on preliminary arrangements, following a violent clash between Brazilian migrants and Surinamese maroons on Christmas Eve last year.

One person was killed and several stores were burnt, but there have been no arrests.

Brazilians do not need a visa to travel to Paramaribo.

Unofficial statistics indicate there are as many as 30,000 Brazilians working mainly in Suriname’s gold mining industry.