From 15 to 17 May 2024, a delegation of Members of Parliament from Suriname participated in a high-level visit to The Hague, The Netherlands, organized by Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). The visit included meetings with officials from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Eerste Kamer (Dutch Senate), the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation, composed of Hon. Patrick Kensenhuis, Member of the Human Rights Committee and Chair of the PGA National Group in Suriname, and Hon. Dewanchandrebhose Sharman, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, had the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue with relevant stakeholders to uphold accountability for international crimes, reinforce the non-proliferation of chemical weapons, and promote democracy and the rule of law.
To enhance ties with peers from the Netherlands and foster parliamentary cooperation on global peace, security, and human rights, the delegation met with Dutch Senators and PGA members: Sen. Boris Dittrich, Board Member and Convenor of PGA’s Campaign for the Universality and Effectiveness of the Rome Statue, Sen. Fatimazhra Belhirch, and Sen. H.W. Vogels. This exchange notably provided an opportunity to explore potential areas of collaboration between Suriname and Dutch MPs on promoting and strengthening LGBTQI+ rights.
During their visit to the ICC, the Surinamese parliamentarians met with Mr. Christian Mahr, Director of the Division of External Operations, and Ms. Jasmine Toumaj, External Affairs Coordinator, to gain more insights into the Court’s mandate, ongoing investigations, and its critical role in deterring future atrocities. Discussions also centered on the ICC’s current challenges and the importance of implementing the Rome Statute into States Parties’ domestic legislation, ratifying all the Rome Statute amendments, and expanding international cooperation through ad hoc cooperation agreements. This was particularly crucial since, although Suriname acceded to the Rome Statute on 15 July 2008, the country has not yet adopted a comprehensive law implementing the Statute’s most important provisions. The MPs conveyed their willingness to enter into discussions with their government and requested PGA’s assistance to advance these essential issues.
Hon. Kensenhuis and Hon. Sharman also had a productive meeting with the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the ICC and OPCW, H.E. Henk Cor van der Kwast, at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This high-level engagement allowed for in-depth discussions on shared priorities between Suriname and the Netherlands. Ambassador van der Kwast stressed the Netherlands’ ongoing support for the ICC and OPCW and conveyed ways to collaborate with Suriname to promote international peace, security, and the rule of law, including through training activities with parliamentarians in the country. In addition, Ambassador van der Kwast urged the delegation to continue supporting the ICC, especially by ratifying the amendments to the Statute and implementing it at the national level. This exchange further solidified the two nations’ strong relationship and commitment to working together on the global stage.
The delegation’s program also included attending the public hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the request for the indication of additional provisional measures and the modification of previous provisional measures for the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel). This exposure provided the Surinamese parliamentarians with firsthand observation of the ICJ’s role in resolving disputes between states and upholding international law. The ongoing case sparked discussions about the importance of peaceful settlement of international conflicts and the role of international courts in achieving justice.
The parliamentary visit concluded with fruitful meetings with Mr. Christian Nissen, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Political Affairs and Protocol Branch, and Mr. Solomon Haile, Senior Coordination and Planning Officer, Implementation Support Branch from the OPCW - the international body responsible for enforcing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Suriname ratified the CWC on 28 April 1997 and fully implemented the instrument into its national legislation. On this occasion, discussions focused on the overall OPCW’s work to eliminate chemical weapons stockpiles and prevent their proliferation, the role it plays in international peace and security, and clarifying existing doubts about its functioning.
PGA’s pivotal role in facilitating this visit is a testament to its commitment to promoting parliamentary engagement with international institutions. By providing parliamentarians with firsthand knowledge of these organizations’ activities, PGA not only raises awareness but also empowers legislators worldwide to play a more active and effective role in supporting international efforts to address global challenges.
