Happy Monday!

This week we cover the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Suriname that deemed the Amnesty Law of 1989 unconstitutional, the appointment of the new Attorney General, and a raft of Central Bank news.

The Constitutional Court has deemed the Amnesty Law of 1989 unconstitutional, causing huge ramifications for perpetrators of crimes during the Inland War between 1985 and 1992.

• Advocate Shanti Sheombar requested the Constitutional Court review the Amnesty Law of 1989 which was enacted in 1992.

• The Amnesty Law was put into place after the end of the Binnenlandse Oorlog (Inland War) between the Jungle Commando led by Ronnie Brunswijk and the Military led by Desi Boutse which led the country at the time. The law was further expanded in 2012, which halted the trial of the December 8 murders at the time.

• The Constitutional Court and its chairperson Gloria Stirling declared that the law was unconstitutional due to violations of human rights conventions.

• Sheombar stated that human rights violations cannot be overlooked, and expects the State to investigate such abuses during the Civil War in the future. If the State fails to act, affected parties can approach the Court of Justice.

• The Amnesty Law, effective in 1992, covered offenses committed from 1985 to 1992, but recent rulings render it void for not addressing certain atrocities like the Moiwana massacre.

• In the Moiwana Massacre, the military went into the Maroon village of Moiwana attempting to find rebel leader Ronnie Brunswijk. When the military could not locate him and refused to tell them where he was, the military acted. Shooting dead 39 villagers while setting many of the houses on fire.

• The removal of the law would open up many formerly closed cases to new investigations. Of which the amnesty law which has long protected former President Desi Bouterse from the 8^th of December murders can also have a huge impact.

Vice President Brunswijk and party ABOP were displeased with the appointment of Garcia Parasingh as the new Attorney General.

• The ABOP party is unhappy with the approval of Garcia Parasingh as Attorney General (AG) for Suriname during a recent government meeting, especially since Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, party leader of ABOP was absent.

• ABOP ministers left the meeting during the discussion of Parasingh's appointment, at the request of the president and are now searching for ways to prevent the decision's execution and dispute claims that Brunswijk was present, which were communicated by the Surinamese Communication Service (CDS).

• ABOP had hoped the AG appointment would be further discussed at the government's top level. They plan to draft a resolution against the appointment, instructing Minister Amoksi not to cooperate.

• However, an amendment enacted on July 13^th of this year, clarifies that only the president can sign government decrees. In a week of bad news for Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, this decision is the cherry on top.

• President Chan Santokhi has stated that political interference should not affect the appointment of the AG and, emphasized that the Court of Justice approved the appointment following proper legal procedures which has been discussed for over a year.

• Paragsingh, who has acted in the role for over two years, indicated she won't serve a third term. Despite some opposition within the government, the decision has been made to definitively appoint Paragsingh as AG, effective August 10th.

The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) is intending to make payment systems more digital.

• The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) is taking steps to bring more citizens into the formal payment system.

• Research shows a significant part of the population operates within the informal payment system; as such the CBvS aims to educate and involve individuals in the country's payment system to strengthen the economy and promote well-being.

• The CBvS has launched numerous electronic payment systems such as an Online Wallet to give citizens access to bank accounts in the country.

• Governor of the Central Bank of Suriname, Maurice Roemer emphasized the importance of reducing cash transactions and increasing engagement in digital payment systems.

• Despite challenges, Roemer intends to involve more citizens in formal payment systems within a year, favoring tailored programs over mandatory legislation.

The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) is planning to introduce higher-denomination banknotes to the banking system, making the SRD 100 no longer the largest denomination.

• Discussions have taken place between CBvS and relevant parties, and the process for implementing larger banknotes is in an advanced stage.

• The goal is to reduce the costs associated with cash transactions and alleviate the inefficiency recently, where ATMs often run out of funds.

• This move comes after a significant currency change in 2004 when the Surinamese guilder was replaced by the SRD. At that time, the change was due to challenging public distrust in the previous currency due to hyperinflation.

• A decade later in 2015, the SRD was devalued to SRD 3.96 for US$1. The current exchange rate is around SRD 38.5 for US$1 which indicates the countri’s challenges with economic crises.

• Concerns from Unions arise due to economic challenges and inflation, as well as the need for increased production and reduced liquidity. However, President Chan Santokhi supports the CBvS's measures and emphasizes that the government is informed once decisions are finalized by the monetary authorities.