On Thursday, Minister of Justice and Police Kenneth Amoxi on behalf of the State of Suriname met in Geneva, Switzerland, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet (former President of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018).. This meeting gave substance to Suriname’s commitment To continue and enhance cooperation with United Nations human rights bodies, among others.
National Institute for Human Rights
The meeting with the UN High Commissioner resulted in agreements for technical assistance in various fields, including the activation of an independent national human rights institute. This is in line with the Paris Principles, including making the public aware of what this institution is and its work. The Paris Principles include a number of UN standards for establishing national human rights institutions. There are also agreements on “train the trainers” opportunities for governmental and non-governmental organizations, for example in applying a human rights-based approach to training and advice on human rights, including (fundamental) rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. .
It also considered constructive cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to make progress in the ratification of key international human rights instruments to which Suriname is not yet a party, and to incorporate the obligations arising from ratified human rights treaties into its national legal system. Finally, possibilities were agreed upon regarding internships and fellowship programs at OHCHR.
This UN technical assistance (OHCHR) is provided in the form of expert advice, training courses, workshops and seminars, grants, provision of information and documentation, and assessment of national human rights needs. To this end, concrete actions will soon follow in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Representative in Suriname.
