Roman Catholic bishops from across the region have expressed concern at the amnesty law recently passed by Suriname’s National Assembly and warned that it could have an adverse impact on human rights trials.
“The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) note with concern the adoption by the National Assembly of Suriname of an amendment to the 1992 Amnesty Law which could have a direct impact on the trial of the current president (Desi Bouterse) and other co-defendants for their alleged involvement in the extra-judicial execution of 15 political opponents in December 1982 and any other trials that might seek justice in cases of human rights violations committed during the period covered under by the amnesty law,” a statement from the AEC said.
The bishops “join many other international human rights and religious groups in urging that the judiciary of Suriname continue to fulfill its obligation to uphold human rights law and assures the
