PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Sept 3, CMC -The National Assembly (DNA) Thursday night postponed to Monday, the consideration of a private members motion proposing an amendment to the Suriname Citizenship and Residency Act.
Political observers say that the proposed legislation is significant as the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country’s national football team seeks to attract overseas players born to Suriname families.
The private member’s bill was first introduced on August 19 by government legislators Ebu Jones of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Steven Reyme of the Democracy and Development in Unity (DOE/A20) Jeffrey Lau of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) and Edgar Sampie of the General Liberation and Development Party (Abop).
The debate on the proposed amendment was due to have started on Thursday but after lengthy internal consultations, it was decided not to immediately proceed to the substantive debate. Minister of Justice and Security Harish Monorath said the government is convinced of its responsibility to be present during the parliamentary proceedings.
Speaker Ashwin Adhin said that various perspectives have been sent to Parliament and it therefore makes little sense to hold an in-depth debate with the movers of the legislators and the government before the amended text is available.
The memorandum of amendment must be made available no later than Friday so that the parliamentary groups can study the document over the weekend.
Opposition legislator, Asiskumar Gajadien, says President Jennifer Simons must be present at the meeting on Monday, saying that Parliament must hear directly from the Head of State which policy direction the government advocates.
Another legislator, Jerrel Pawiroredjo said that Surinamese citizenship is about both “national pride” and “national interest” and believes the subject deserves careful preparation.
CMC/jg/ir/2026