Police on strike in Suriname after government dismisses senior cops

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC - Police officers in Suriname took to the streets for a second consecutive day on Wednesday to protest the government's dismissal of two senior cops.

The disgruntled police officers met with Acting President Ronnie Brunswijk, but failed to reach an amicable solution.

During the meeting with the police, Brunswijk indicated that he was not aware that the two officers had been fired and that the case against the two cops, who were suspended a few weeks ago, could have been handled differently.

He advised the union to discuss the matter with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on his return to the country

Santokhi, who is attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) now under way in Egypt, fired the two police officers by resolution last week for participating in nationwide protest demonstrations against his government's policies.

Chief Inspectors Sergio Gentle and Raoul Hellings were dismissed from the police force by the president for serious dereliction of duty.

They were in charge of Organic Movement, the non-government organisation which had staged massive street protests against the government in May and June.

The Surinamese Police Association (SPA) during a meeting on Tuesday decided on the strike action, with members of the Organic Movement and others, including Ronald Hooghart, chairman of the Central National Service Organizations (CLO) joining the protest demonstration at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

“It starts with a small group, but it will swell to 80,000 men,” Hooghart warned, adding that the dismissal of Gentle and Hellings smacks of dictatorship.

The demonstrating police officers have parked their vehicles blocking entry to the Parliament.

“We cannot remain silent when our comrades in arms are treated unjustly. Hellings and Gentle have peacefully stood up to the mismanagement of the government,” said Maïsha Neus, one of the leaders of the Organic Movement, urging support for the Surinamese Police Union (SPB).

“It is a matter for the police association, but if this can happen just like that, the space for demonstrations will be wiped off the table once and for all,” Neus added.

Meanwhile, President Santohi has invited the SPB board to discuss the matter with him on Thursday evening when he returns.

SPB president, Poetini Atompai, told the protesting police officers that you can't say “no” to the invitation to the talks.

“I have no reason to hold on to this government, Atompai said, noting that a proposal to have a rest day on Thursday has encountered problems.

The union leader wants protesters to gather outside the Parliament building on Friday to hear the outcome of the discussions with Santokhi.

He has also issued an ultimatum to the government that the dismissed workers be reinstated by 10 a.m. (local time) on Friday.

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