The long road to justice: Reflecting on Suriname's December Murders trial

Jointly organized by the Legal Mobilization Platform, the Dutch foundation Judges for Judges and the International Commission of Jurists, the focus of the conference will be on the Suriname Atrocity Crimes trial that, after a final appeal in the Hof van Justitie in Paramaribo, led to a confirmation of conviction and sentence against former President Desi Bouterse and others on 20 December 2023. 

This event will critically analyze and increase awareness of the case and its longer-term implications, not only for Suriname, but for international criminal justice generally.

Speakers

• Lilian Goncalves, human rights activist from Suriname
• Jeff Handmaker, Associate Professor at ISS
• Reed Brody, Counsel and spokesperson for Human Rights Watch
• Gaetano Best, lawyer

Event hosts

The event will be hosted by the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague and by the Centre for Democracy and Justice (Centrum voor Democratie en Rechtspleging, CDR) in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The December Murders trial

This trial for atrocity crimes that took place in December 1982 was the longest trial in Suriname's history, in which the chief suspect was Desiré Delano Bouterse, the former military leader from 1980 - 1988 and, from 2010 - 2020, elected President of the Republic of Suriname.

An all-women panel of judges presided for many years over the case, which eventually led to a conviction and sentence of 20-years for murder of Bouterse. After his conviction was confirmed on appeal by Suriname's highest court in December 2023, Bouterse disappeared. Eventually, Interpol issued a so-called 'red notice' calling for his arrest and extradition to Suriname to serve out his sentence.