Desi Bouterse - Suriname : progress in the trial is extremely slow
While the Bouterse trial in Suriname is moving at a snails pace Linda Petrusi of the Caribbeannetnews writes, "consociational democracy is nothing new to Suriname, a former colony of the Netherlands". "While it is true that Suriname has some manufacturing and industry (Suralco a subsidiary of Alcoa comes to mind), it is not enough to develop the type of environment needed to create cottage industries. "In addition", says Petrusi, "the selling of concessions ranging from timber to plants continues to feed the pockets of a few while the rest go without. If these examples do not inspire the members of the Suriname parliament to go back to the table and maintain some kind of dialogue, then what will? While President Venetiaan may ultimately be blamed, let’s remember that he inherited a demoralized country left by Desi Bouterse, who now stands trial for murder. If ever there was a time that tests the will and determination of Suriname, it is now. Power sharing and collaboration will prove far more meaningful to the citizens of Suriname than any policy or ethnicity. Prior to the military regime of the 80’s, Suriname already laid the foundation for consociationalism not only during colonialism, but post-colonialism as well".
In Latin America, the home to many oppressive military regimes in the 1970s and 1980s, charges have been brought—mostly for crimes against humanity—against half a dozen former rulers. Also in Suriname, the trial of dictator turned Drug Czar and Politician Desi Bouterse, for his role in the summary execution of 15 political opponents in 1982, began. Progress in the trial is extremely slow since the present judicial system of Suriname provides Mr. Bouterse all the courtesies of defense within todays democratic society of Suriname. A courtesy he never gave to the 15 innocent Surinamers, who were murdered with his consent and even possible participation in the actual killing.
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