LM Report 2004

Suriname

Key developments since May 2003: On 1 September 2003, Suriname submitted its initial Article 7 report. Suriname destroyed 146 antipersonnel mines on 25 February 2004 and intends to retain the remaining 150 antipersonnel mines for training purposes. Suriname participated in its first Meeting of States Parties in September 2003 and its first intersessional meetings in February and June 2004. National implementation legislation has been drafted.

Key developments since 1999: Suriname ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 23 May 2002, and the treaty entered into force on 1 November 2002. On 9 May 2002 a seminar on implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty was held in Paramaribo. In March 2003, the Minister of Defense established an inter-ministerial Commission on Antipersonnel Mines. Suriname destroyed 146 antipersonnel mines on 25 February 2004 and intends to retain the remaining 150 antipersonnel mines for training purposes.

Mine Ban Policy

Suriname signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, ratified on 23 May 2002, and the treaty entered into force for the country on 1 November 2002.

In January 2004, Suriname reported that national implementation legislation, “The Anti-Personnel Mine prohibition law” was in the final drafting phase and would be presented to the Minister of Defense in March 2004.^[1] As of May 2004 the draft legislation remained under review by members of the Ministry of Justice and Police and the Ministry of Defense.^[2] The draft legislation contains proposed penal sanctions and fines.^[3]

Suriname was not an active participant in the Ottawa Process leading to the Mine Ban Treaty, but endorsed the pro-ban Brussels Declaration in June 1997, and has voted in support of every pro-ban UN General Assembly resolution since 1996, except for 2001 and 2002 when it was absent.

Suriname participated in its first Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok, Thailand in September 2003 and its first intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and June 2004. Previously, Suriname said financial considerations prevented its participation. Suriname also attended a regional meeting on landmines held in Perú in August 2003.

On 9 May 2002 a seminar on implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty was held in Paramaribo, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Canada, and the Netherlands. The Minister of Defense established an Inter-Departmental Commission on Antipersonnel Mines on 11 March 2003 that is responsible for implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. Originally organized for a six-month period, the duration of the Commission was extended to 31 December 2004 so that it can carry out plans for mine clearance and mine risk education.^[4]

On 1 September 2003, Suriname submitted its initial Article 7 report, covering the period April to August 2003. It submitted a second report on 31 January 2004, covering the period August to December 2003.

Production, Transfer, Use

According to Suriname’s initial Article 7 report, the country has not produced antipersonnel mines.^[5] Suriname is believed to have never exported antipersonnel mines. It imported antipersonnel mines from Libya (Portuguese-manufactured M-969 and Yugoslav-manufactured PMA mines).^[6]

An estimated 1,000 antipersonnel mines were laid during the country’s internal conflict from 1986 to 1992, but most of these have been reported cleared. One former armed rebel group, the “Jungle Commando,” acknowledges having used homemade booby-traps during the conflict, but never produced or used antipersonnel mines.^[7] Another former group, “Tucajana Amazonia” reported it never produced or used antipersonnel mines or booby-traps.^[8]

Stockpiling and Destruction

Suriname first reported a stockpile of 296 antipersonnel mines to Landmine Monitor in June 2002, consisting of: 189 M-969, 99 PMA mines, and eight “Lot No. 8003” mines manufactured by an unknown country.^[9] The Article 7 reports list the mines as M1969 and PMA-3.^[10]

Suriname destroyed 146 antipersonnel mines on 25 February 2004 at the military base “Bos Bivak” in Para district, in an event witnessed by members of the Inter-Departmental Commission on Antipersonnel Mines, the OAS, Canada, Red Cross, Landmine Monitor and media.^[11] The OAS provided technical assistance for the destruction.^[12]

Suriname intends to retain the remaining 150 antipersonnel mines for training purposes.^[13] According to the Inter-Departmental Commission, those mines are necessary for military engineering training because Suriname participates in peace missions, for example in Haiti in 1994.^[14]

Landmine Problem and Casualties

An estimated 1,000 mines were laid during the country’s internal conflict which took place between 1986 and 1992. In 1992, the Army cleared nearly all of these mines under the OAS-sponsored “Operation Pur Baka.” The OAS provided technical assistance, Brazil donated clearance equipment and provided technical assistance, and the Netherlands provided financial support. According to the OAS, the clearance activities were carried out in four zones following the conclusion of the peace accords in August 1992. Two were located along the coast (at Albina and the area around the main road across the Commewijne River), while the other two were located in the interior of the country (at Stoelmanseiland and Carolina Bridge).^[15]

In May 2002, Suriname reported that approximately thirteen antipersonnel mines laid by the Army on 26 February 1987 remained emplaced at Stolkertsijver in the district of Commewijne, some fifty kilometers east of Paramaribo. Dense vegetation had made clearance of the mines too difficult.^[16] In September 2003, Suriname reported that the mined area measured approximately 75 by 30 meters and contained M-969 mines.^[17] That same month the Ministry of Defense stated that it had erected barbed wire and warning signs around the site.^[18] According to a Ministry of Defense official, Suriname approached three companies for quotes on equipment to clear vegetation, metal detectors, and protective gear for deminers, but it was still exploring alternatives.^[19]

An OAS assessment mission visited Suriname from 29 August to 3 September 2004 to arrange for clearance of the mined area. It concluded that it would take approximately 45 days to demine the area in November and December 2004. Canada has pledged to cover the expense of the project, estimated at $120,000, while the Inter-American Defense Board would provide technical assistance.^[20]

Suriname has one known landmine survivor, a former soldier who continues to work for the Army as a civilian employee.^[21] On 16 October 1989, he lost his right leg below the knee to an antipersonnel mine planted by the National Army near the city of Albina in the Marowijne district.^[22] The Ministry of Defense provided him with an artificial limb, rehabilitation, psychological support, and a bicycle.

Suriname’s social security system has at least three types of provisions that landmine survivors would be able to access, including subsidies for low-income households, a monthly subsidy in case of disability and free medical care including physiotherapy and mental health services.^[23] The Army has its own medical care service and a Military Hospital.

[1] Article 7 Report, Form A, 31 January 2004.
[2] Interview with Inter-Departmental Commission, 26 May 2004.
[3] Landmine Monitor has reviewed the draft legislation.
[4] Communication of the Council of Ministers signed by the Vice President, 23 March 2004, registration number 127/RvM.
[5] Article 7 Report, Form E and H, 1 September 2003.
[6] Inventory list of antipersonnel mines provided by Ronald S. Franker, Head of Ammunition Management, dated 7 June 2002, received 20 November 2002; letter from Major Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, 21 March 2003; interviews with Maj. Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, Paramaribo, 16 July 2002 and 20 November 2002.
[7] Official statement report signed by Ronny Brunswijk, leader of Jungle Commando, and Maj. Jozef Laurens, Chairman, Inter-Departmental Commission, 19 May 2003.
[8] Official statement report signed by Thomas P. Sabajo, leader of Tucajana Amazonia, and Maj. Jozef Laurens, Chairman, Inter-Departmental Commission, 23 May 2003.
[9] Inventory list of antipersonnel mines dated 7 June 2002; letter from Maj. Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, 21 March 2003; interviews with Maj. Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, 16 July 2002 and 20 November 2002.
[10] The antipersonnel mines are listed under mines retained for training. Article 7 Report, Form D, 1 September 2003 and 31 January 2004.
[11] Erna Aviankoi, “NL blaast 146 landmijnen op,” De Ware Tijd (Paramaribo), 25 February 2004; Erna Aviankoi, “Suriname voortvarend in naleving Ottawa-verdrag,” De Ware Tijd, 26 February 2004. The Landmine Monitor researcher provided background material to the media.
[12] Notes taken by Landmine Monitor (MAC), Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 12 February 2004; interview with Inter-Departmental Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paramaribo, 26 May 2004.
[13] Interview with Inter-Departmental Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paramaribo, 3 March 2004; Erna Aviankoi, “Suriname voortvarend in naleving Ottawa-verdrag,” De Ware Tijd, 26 February 2004.
[14] Interview with Inter-Departmental Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paramaribo, 3 March 2004.
[15] OAS AICMA, “OAS supports Suriname in the field of mine action,” in “El Desminado” electronic bulletin, Summer 2004. Dozens of weapons, booby-traps and mines were destroyed. The Jungle Commando used booby-traps, but are convinced that the few which might be left in the field are harmless, since they were usually made of collected unexploded ordnance for short periods of effectiveness. UXO stockpiled by Jungle Commando were jointly destroyed with the National Army in 1991. Interview with Maj. Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, 17 February 2004; Official statement signed by Ronny Brunswijk and Maj. Josef Laurens, 19 May 2003.
[16] Statement by the Minister of Defense, Landmines Seminar, Paramaribo, 9 May 2002; Statement by Minister of Defense, 11 March 2003.
[17] Article 7 Report, Form C, 1 September 2003 and 1 January 2004.
[18] Ministry of Defense Press Release in De Ware Tijd newspaper, 9 September 2003; Inter-Departmental Commission meeting, Paramaribo, 21 January 2004.
[19] Interview with Maj. Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, 17 February 2004.
[20] Landmine Monitor notes on OAS Suriname Mission press briefing held 2 September 2004.
[21] Interview with Maj. Jozef Laurens, Ministry of Defense, 17 February 2004.
[22] Interview with Corp. Milton Mashart, Engineering Division of the National Army, Paramaribo, 17 December 2002.
[23] Policy Plan, Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, 2000-2005.