Happy Monday!

In this week’s edition, we cover the passing of a vital environmental law, stolen objects from Suriname returned by the Netherlands, and an attack on a prominent social media critic.

The passing of a vital environmental law.

Suriname has been rocked by environmental concerns, especially with the increasing oil exploration on the country’s coast. However, other problems remain around gold concessions and logging that the law aims to tackle.

• The Environmental Framework Law was recently passed by the National Assembly, receiving 27 votes while the opposition abstained. This decision sparked various concerns from party leaders.

• Rabin Parmessar of the NDP (National Democratic Party) expressed dissatisfaction due to unanswered questions and concern that the law can lead to corruption.

• Gregory Rusland of the NPS (National Party of Suriname) acknowledged the importance of governmental authority but disagreed with certain provisions, particularly regarding the imposition of fines without parliamentary consultation.

• BEP faction leader Ronny Asabina highlighted the remaining environmental issues and criticized the lack of deadlines for written responses.

• Minister Marciano Dasai addressed these concerns, reaffirming the independence of the National Environmental Authority (NMA) and stressing the importance of a clear mandate for the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment.

• Despite criticism, the provision allowing the minister to assign tasks to the NMA by decree remained unchanged. Dasai provided insights into carbon credit markets and the government's focus on reducing emissions through the forestry sector.

• Regarding last year's cyanide investigation, Dasai reported favorable results below detection limits. However, challenges were noted in mangrove restoration due to increased wave intensity. Efforts are underway to improve wave-breaking processes for short-term protection while seeking long-term solutions.

• Dasai outlined plans for data collection and public awareness campaigns regarding climate resilience in agriculture. Measures are being developed to regulate chemical use and capture mercury emissions from gold buyers' chimneys.

• Following Dasai's responses, questions were raised about the legality of certain operations and smoke emissions management. The government's longstanding efforts to address gold-buying issues were emphasized, including plans to close illegal buying companies and improve filtering systems.

• Dasai acknowledged global concerns regarding environmental issues and emphasized collaboration between NIMOS and the ministry. He concluded by highlighting the strengthening of this collaboration through the adoption of the law.

• The law’s passing even with massive opposition represents the government’s recognition that passing of such a law is necessary as the country aims to remain net-negative moving forward.

Looted objects to be returned to Suriname by the Netherlands.

• The Netherlands acknowledged that its looting of objects during the colonial period was a historical injustice and is willing to return them to Suriname.n

• The Netherlands is working towards making information about museum objects on colonial history available to both countries.

• An overview of these objects has been provided to the Minister of Education, Science and Culture and the National Museum Commission of Suriname by the Dutch Consortium of Colonial Collections.

• The countries discussed the strengthening of cultural ties between them. Fruitful discussions continue between the National Museum Commission of Suriname and the Dutch Committee for Colonial Collections around research and restitution of objects.

• The Surinamese Commission is working to enhance the museum sector in Suriname and to develop a plan of action with relevant local stakeholders in the coming months. The plan will examine developing museum infrastructure, museum policies, and further development of experience.

• The Netherlands will support the development of this plan at Suriname's request. The Netherlands will additionally offer research and study grants, and a training program will be established between the two countries.

Attack on social media critic, Benny Miranda leads to concerns of freedom of speech.

• Benny Miranda, a prominent social media critic and prominent member of the opposition party BEP, was assaulted leading to severe injuries that required medical treatment.

• The BEP condemned the attack and saw it as an attempt to silence his speech. The attack occurred in front of witnesses at a funeral and deeply undermines democratic values in Suriname.

• The party has advocated for tolerance and rationality in the public discourse while also urging condemnation from the government and fellow political parties. They also urge the police to open an investigation.

• The attack led to swift condemnation from numerous political parties as well as journalists stating that regardless of political differences, freedom of speech is sacrosanct in Suriname. That intimidation cannot encroach on speech in such a democratic society.

• Going into the 2025 elections, political parties and the government should keep a closer eye on all sorts of political violence and intimidation intended to silence freedom of speech and expression.