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The
parliament in Suriname has adopted a controversial amnesty law that could
prevent the country's president, Desi Bouterse, from being punished for his
alleged role in the December Murders of 1982.
After three
days of meetings, 28 MPs voted in favour of the law and 12 voted against. It was
an emotional vote in parliament. The law was passed after a roll call vote.
Members of the opposition, including former President Venetiaan, requested a
roll call vote so that it would be clear to the voters which MPs were in favour
of the law and which MPs voted against.
It remains
unclear what effect the new legislation will have on the criminal case against
President Bouterse, which is already underway. The president is suspected of
having ordered and participated in the murders of 15 people who opposed the
military regime Bouterse ran in the country during most of the 1980s.
Ambassador
recalled
Dutch
Minister of Foreign Afairs Uri Rosenthal says the new amnesty law is “extremely
disappointing”. In response, he has recalled the ambassador for Suriname to
discuss the matter. The conservative VVD, Christian Democrats and Freedom Party
agree with Mr Rosenthal’s decision.
By
recalling the ambassador, Mr Rosenthal is sending out the right signal, says
Dutch lawyer Gerard Spong, who for years has devoted himself to a fair trial in
this case. But recalling the ambassador is not enough. “I think a travel ban
should be imposed on the suspects in this case, as well as on the MPs who have
voted for the amnesty law.”
According
to Mr Sprong, the Netherlands should also consider stopping certain aid
projects. "Suriname should pay the price for this decision."
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