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STALKING BILL PASSED

The Bill against stalking and harassment was passed unanimously by the members of the National Assembly.

A stalker can now get up to 12 years in prison, and fined 150,000 SRD.  This maximum sentence can be imposed if the victim dies as a result of the stalking.  Justice Minister Misiedjan cited the triple murder of the Peroti family as an example, stating that this may have been prevented had the bill been passed sooner.

HOUSING PROJECT RESUMES

The housing program at Hannah’s Lust has resumed.

Etienne Boereveen – chairman of this project says that a thorough evaluation and reorganization was necessary, since things were not going well – he did not elaborate what the problems were.  Now that all kinks appear to have been ironed out, construction and allocation of houses will proceed faster. So far, only 34 houses have been allocated, and government is behind on its promise to construct thousands of houses during its term in office.

FOOD IMPORTS FROM BRAZIL

Suriname is looking into the possibility of importing cheaper foodproducts from Brazil.

This matter will be discussed during the visit of a Brazilian mission to arrive shortly in Suriname.  A statement from the foreign affairs ministry says that at present two other Brazilian missions are here and discussions are ongoing with representatives from the agriculture sector.

The statement says Government intends to transform Suriname into the largest food producer in the Caribbean area.

Visit Radio Zon daily at 6.00pm and 9.00pm for their English news cast

WAGENINGEN BRIDGE REPAIRS

The TW Bridge near Wageningen in District Nickerie has seen better days and cannot take more than 4 tons of freight at a time, but a temporary solution has been found.

While the bridge is being repaired, a provisional bridge will be installed.  Repairs are necessary, but finding a temporary solution was equally crucial since much freight passes this important bridge on a daily basis, en route to Paramaribo or Nieuw Nickerie and Guyana. Banana plantation Jarikaba for instance is suffering losses since its container trucks are much heavier than the allowed tonnage and therefore cannot cross the bridge. District Commissioner Wedperkash Joeloemsingh was prompted into immediate action, recognizing that economic activities cannot be stagnated.  The bridge shows is in danger of collapsing.

MELEE IN DNA

The National Assembly on Monday again dwindled beyond the acceptable norms and behavior. The parliamentarians had opened discussions on the bill dealing with stalking, harassment and menacing behavior. 

Opposition members however refused to stick to the discussion and insisted in discussing the Amendment to the Amnesty Bill that was passed recently. They took every opportunity to air their grievances over this bill much to the annoyance of House Chairlady Jennifer Simons. At one time several opposition members surrounded the speaker’s chair, in what she termed a threatening manner; she called assistance from the police who then escorted the disruptive members from the area.

Insults were hurled and parliamentary behavior was totally lost in the melee. Eventually the police escorted the 5 members who were causing the disturbance out of the building, whereupon the remaining opposition members decided to support their comrades and walked out.

Visit Radio Zon daily at 6.00pm and 9.00pm for their English news cast

Well now – whether you’re for, against, neutral, have no opinion or just are not interested – we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the difficult, emotional and marathon parliamentary sessions debating the Amnesty law have come to an end.  It was a foregone conclusion that the amendment would have been passed anyway, bearing in mind that the coalition has the majority, but it was interesting to listen to the rhetoric and live again (and again) the events of December 8 1982.  The passing of this amendment means that parliament has provided President Desi Bouterse with a tool to grant himself and the other suspects in the 1982 murders, a free pardon.  This amendment means that the suspects can go unpunished, and it’s now up to the president to decide whether he will sign the amendment into law or not. We now wait to see what the next step will be (although of course we can guess).

REGISTRATION FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINEMEN

Traditional doctors or ‘house remedy doctors’ will be registered and certified by the Health Ministry in the coming months.

Health Minister Waterberg indicated that his ministry is currently establishing a department that will make a list of all traditional doctors.  The minister explained that each ethnic group has its traditional doctors who have specialized themselves in acupuncture, traditional herbs and ayurvedic medicine.  The health ministry intends to find out what kind of products the traditional doctors make and what are the effects of these products.  Hopefully in the long run these can also be used in the medical world.

MURDER SUSPECT COPS IN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

The two policemen who have been arrested for the murder of Haitian Celius Molius have been transferred to an unknown prison location.  These two murder suspects are being guarded by police in order to prevent detainees whom they may have arrested, from intimidating or harming them.  According to a source, all precautions are being taken to keep them safe.  Latest reports state that the two are vehemently protesting their innocence; they claim to know nothing about the victim’s brutal murder.

“COCAINE” SEIZED

Following protests from societal groups, police have seized the entire stock of the new energy drink named: COCAINE” which is imported by NV Sahara.

This has not found favor with director Wierin Bishesar who disclosed to Thursday’s Times that he has hired a lawyer to look after his interests.  Bishesar says that if the trade ministry finds that the product with such a suggestive name should not be sold in Suriname – that’s ok by him, but then the government must reimburse him all his expenditure he incurred in importing the beverage. Minister Miskin from Trade and Industry refused to comment, confirming only that the police had seized the stocks of the energy drink cocaine.

Visit Radio Zon daily at 6.00pm and 9.00pm for their English news cast

Caricom considering lower import tariffs for some goods

Caricom  member states have drafted a list of 67 goods for which they want the common external tariff to either be lower or scrapped entirely for two years. 

During last week’s meeting of the Trade ministers in Guyana, it was decided to hold national consultations on this list of goods and send the findings to the CARICOM secretariat later this month.  The secretariat, in turn, will send the ministers a final draft that can be discussed at the heads of state summit in St. Lucia in July.  This was disclosed in a press release by the ministry of trade and industry.  Another thorny and controversial issue is the environmental levy some member countries impose on beverage imports, while local producers are exempt.  Since 2004 this question is being discussed but up to now, countries including Guyana, Belize and St. Lucia have not scrapped this levy.  Dillip Sarjoe, Managing director of Rudisa beverages is now demanding US$ 4 million from Guyana, claiming that he’s paid that amount over the years in the environmental levy.  In a final statement, COTED issued strong words demanding the immediate abolition of the level, and even threatened to take this issue to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Bus owners happy with subsidy increase

Private line bus operators, united in the bus owners organization PLO, are delighted with the increased subsidy recently announced by the government. 

Bus owners had initially complained that the subsidy funds were not properly controlled, still they’ve decided to accept this increase.  However they claim that passengers refuse to pay the SRD 1.25 for the city tariff, claiming that they just don’t have it. The subsidy has been increased from SRD 1.50 per liter diesel to 1.80 per liter; this is also retroactive to February this year.  The PLO chairman told The Times daily that after two months, his organization will again approach the government for important discussions.  Some still demand an increase in bus fares, but this is unlikely in the near future.

Visit Radio Zon daily at 6.00pm and 9.00pm for their English news cast

 DNA discusses Amnesty Act

Theatrics in parliament now that the controversial Amnesty Act is being debated.  On Monday when discussions started, the opposition tore into the proposed amendment to the 1989 Amnesty Act which was submitted by 5 NPD parliamentarians. 

It would be true to say that the New Front parliamentarians made minced meat of the proposal and the arguments put forward by its supporters.  Even though parliament speaker Jenny Geerlings Simons urged members not to let their emotions run away with them, it was to little avail.

Opposition members pointed out that this proposal was in contravention with the country’s Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Treaty on Civil and political Rights, as well as the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights. Opponents of this bill claim that it is polarizing the country and should it go through, divisions will be deeper and more difficult to bridge than ever before.  So far, this has had little or no effect on the initiators.

Two more traffic deaths

Two people lost their lives in a traffic accident in the areaof  Coppenamepunt.

The victims died on the spot.  Police sources confirm that a delivery van and a truck ferrying timber came in a head on clash. Reports are that the victims are a mother and her son. This is the second fatal accident in just a few days; last weekend three people died  in a car accident on the road to Zanderij. Police say the driver may have been speeding when their vehicle crashed head-on into another. The road death toll for this year stands now at 22.

Greenheart headcompany for sale

The Chinese company Sino Forest, largest shareholder of the country’s biggest timber concessionary Greenheart Group Ltd (GGL) is for sale on the international market. 

Last year GGL became the biggest timber concessionaire in Suriname’s history with a total concession area of 403,000 hectares – making it even larger than Brunzeel’s holdings.

GGL has had its ups and downs on the international market including a scandal on the Toronto stock exchange involving Sino Forest.  But now it appears that all problems have been solved; and whether the sale of Sino Forest goes through or not, the company will make a transition from a public to a private enterprise.

Spokesman for GGl, Tony Wood disclosed that there are large potential investors lining up to buy Sino Forest and its properties, including its shares in GGL.

Visit Radio Zon daily at 6.00pm and 9.00pm for their English news cast

President Bouterse will be on SLM’s inaugural flight to Guyana and Miami today. 

According to foreign minister Lackin this should be seen in the framework of the integration of Suriname and SLM within the region. The president says that the visit will also afford him the opportunity to hold discussions with his Guyanese counterpart President Donald Ramotar.  It’s not known exactly what the discussions are likely to be, but they’re expected to deal with intensifying the relationship between the two countries as well as Caricom matters.  It is reported that Guyana is enthusiastic about the reintroduction of SLM flights and there’s even talk about extending the route to Canada where thousands of Guyanese reside.

The response to World Earth Hour last Saturday night has been disappointing, electricity company EBS reports.

Apparently almost no power was saved by citizens, since practically no one participated in the campaign.  In 2011 the response was much better and EBS estimated that in all households, at least one lamp was turned off to assist the WWF campaign.  This year however, it was another matter, lights blazed out; only the palace and buildings surrounding independence square gave heed to the call by turning out their lights.

A police major and his wife woke up to a scare Sunday night, to find three armed bandits rummaging through their house.

The criminals tied up the couple and stole cash and jewelry as well as the service revolver from the policeman.  They even attempted to steal the officer’s vehicle but were prevented when police arrived on the scene.  Not to be outdone, the bandits opened fire on the police, stepped out of the vehicle and fled into the nearby bush.  Police are investigating but so far no one has been arrested.

Visit Radio Zon daily  at 6.00pm and 9.00pm for their English news cast

RWB speaks out against Amnesty Act

Reporters without Borders, (RSF) the international press freedom watchdog, is strongly against the proposed amendment to the 1989 Amnesty Act.

Benoit Hervieux, RSF’s head of the American desk, tells De Ware Tijd daily that amending the act is an insult to the victims who paid with their lives for their convictions and have fought for democracy, as well as their families,   and calls on the initiators of the controversial proposal to withdraw it.  The RSF recalls that it issued a statement in August 2012 when Bouterse was elected president declaring that while it respected the will of Suriname’s people, it should not be forgotten that he is on trial for the murder of 5 journalists in 1982.  Thus, in the eyes of the RSF it is unacceptable if these murders remain unpunished.  The journalistic organization also states clearly that amnesty is no solution to the problems of the past.

Firemen safe four houses

Fire service personnel have showed exactly how serious they are THIS TIME.  Friday’s Times reports that residents on the Kwattaweg, together with police, were able to save four houses set to be destroyed by fire caused by an out of control bush fire. 

The fire service showed up but refused to go into action since no house was (yet) in flames.  Their message to the astounded residents was clear: “Only if and when your house is ablaze must you call us.  We are on strike and only respond to houses which are on fire”.  Residents were of the opinion that having arrived on the scene, the brigade could have put out the bush fire.  Instead, the engines drove away, leaving residents and police to do the best they could to douse the flames.  Even police who called constantly to the fire service could not persuade their colleagues to go into action.

SLM ticket prices to go up

SLM intends to increase already expensive ticket prices because of the continuous rise in fuel prices. 

This is reported by Friday’s Times which states that SLM’s director Ewald Hensuijs declared that at this point the petrol price hovers around 170 USD dollars per barrel which is exceptionally high for the airline.  He points out that other international airline companies have already increased their ticket prices,  but he does not expect a decline in passengers since many have to travel for their work, and others travel irrespective of the cost.  The SLM director reminds the public that SLM does not receive a subsidy, unlike the two other airlines which ply Suriname’s skies, hence the local airline operates at a disadvantage.  But it is nevertheless determined to continue on with its strategic commercial plan to get the maximum benefits and give the maximum service to the public.

Brutal crime wave

A wave of brutal crime has raised its ugly head after a relatively restful period.  Within less than one month 3 persons have been abducted and murdered;  then of course there were the two family dramas, resulting in the deaths of 7 including 4 innocent children.  On Thursday, reports Star News a woman was robbed on the Bonistraat by three armed men who smashed her car window, shot her in the arm and took off with her handbags in which she had a quantity of cash, the keys for her business place, mobile telephones and other valuables.  The victim, who was in a state of shock, had to be treated at AZ’s emergency department.  The getaway vehicle was found abandoned in Tourtonne 6; there’s no trace of the bandits.