| Legislation |  | |
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
| ||
| Legislation | | |
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
| ||
30Jun17
Suriname President Bouterse hints at not recognising military court ruling
President Desi Bouterse has hinted at the possibility of not recognising the ruling of a military court hearing evidence in a trial in which he is accused of playing a "significant role" in the death of 15 people in the so-called "December murders" in 1982.
When the trial resumed on Wednesday after several delays, prosecutor Roy Elgin, urged the court to impose a 20-year jail term on the former military leader of this Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) saying that that the murders had been premeditated.
He told the court that Bouterse, who at the time headed a military government here, was responsible for the murder of the 15 men on December 8, 1982 and that the former army leader had been in Fort Zeelandia at the time they were committed.
"The murders were planned properly and there was a script. It was premeditated," said Elgin.
But speaking at a public meeting of his ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) on Thursday night, Bouterse said "if God put me here as president, who is a judge to send me away".
Bouterse called the prison demand an act of desperation by "forces" that want him removed from office.
"You know they want us out of Government before the 2020 elections come around. So much so that they will continue to keep this case alive. But it is going to take a lot to push our mammoth party from its seats," he said.
President Bouterse said that the prosecutor's demand had surprised many and criticised the judiciary, telling supporters that his administration would soon be taking the "necessary measures….within the confines of constitutional law".
He did not elaborate on the statement, but stressed that "we will not be doing things that will make them say that we are hurting the democracy. Do not be worried."
He called on his party supporters to keep a cool head, adding "they expect us to ignite chaos, but there's no need for that."
Bouterse has been head of state since 2010. From 1980 to 1987 he was Suriname's de facto leader after conducting a military coup and establishing military rule.
[Source: Jamaica Observer, Paramaribo, Suriname, 30 June 2017]
International Criminal Law:
Country List | Home Page
This document has been published on 29Jul17 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
