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 people and church in Suriname of the prayerful support of the AEC as they seek development, peace and justice in their country,” the statement said.
It said that the bishops are also concerned about the worsening levels of violence in the region and recognised efforts made by several dioceses to raise consciousness to address this situation. The Justice and Peace Committee of the AEC will work toward organising an AEC Conference on Domestic Violence which the Justice and Peace Commission of Guyana has offered to host, the statement said.
It added that the bishops have established an ad hoc Committee on Communication to be chaired by Bishop Jason Gordon in order to effectively facilitate the work of the AEC. Among other things, the committee aims to set-up an IT platform for the AEC to develop an effective means of collaboration between the bishops and AEC commissions; to facilitate coordination between communications departments of (Arch) dioceses of the AEC to develop the communications potential of the church in the AEC region and to facilitate the formation of Catholics, bishops, priests, religious and laity in the spirituality and skills of communication to deepen the communication capacity of the church in the region.
The AEC bishops were in Guyana for their 56th Annual Plenary Meeting which was held from April 22-26.
