Rapport intérimaire - Rapport No. 222, Mars 1983

1. 287. By communications dated 28 September 1982 and 19 January 1983 respectively, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL) presented complaints of infringements of trade union rights in Suriname. The ICFTU presented additional allegations in telegrams dated 9 and 13 December 1982. The Government sent its reply in communications dated 10 November 1982, 10 January and 19 February 1983.
2. 288. In view of the seriousness of the allegations made in this case, the Director-General, in accordance with the procedures in force, sent telegrams to the Government on 12 January and 14 February 1983 proposing that the Government consent to a direct contacts mission to the country to discuss the questions at issue.
3. 289. Suriname has ratified the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87); it has not ratified the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

A. The complainants' allegations

1. 290. In its communication of 28 September 1982, the ICFTU alleges that on 17 September 1982 the premises of its affiliate "De Moederbond" of Suriname were occupied by a group of young persons taken there by lorry. According to the ICFTU, some of these young persons were armed and were members of the "popular mobilisation section" of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. It is alleged that they proceeded to pillage the premises of the trade union for several hours and prevented a trade union meeting which had been arranged from taking place there. The ICFTU alleges that their presence on the trade union premises leaves no doubt as to the intentions of the authorities who, already on several occasions, have publicly stated their intention to restrict trade union rights in the country. In its communication of 9 December 1982, the ICFTU states that the headquarters of its affiliate have been destroyed and it is still without news of the Moederbond leadership and representatives. It requests the Director-General to intervene in order to obtain full information on the whereabouts of the leadership of its affiliate. She ICFTU telegram of 13 December 1982 states that it has unconfirmed information that Mr. C. Coal, President of its affiliate, has been murdered and that trade union leaders are detained.
2. 291. In its communication of 19 January 1983, the WCL alleges the assassination of 24 persons including Cyril Daal, the President of the Moederbond trade union. It states there are also many prisoners who are in danger of suffering the same fate. According to the WCL, the 24 workers (whose names and occupations are supplied) were assassinated for having demanded a return to democracy, general elections, trade union rights, an end to press censorship and the return of the military to their barracks. It also points out that the Moederbond's headquarters were destroyed, along with those of other trade unions. It also alleges that many unionists have been forced into hiding.

B. The Government's reply

1. 292. In its communication of 10 November 1982, the Government denies the ICFTU's allegations and emphasises that its communication is based on incorrect information. According to the Government, it reacted to a telegram received from the ICFTU on 29 September 1982 by sending a return telegram explaining the actual facts of the case. The Government supplies a copy of this telegram. Furthermore it supplies a copy of a newspaper article reporting the official denial by the Prime Minister of Suriname of the allegations in this case.
2. 293. The Government states that the illegal occupation of the office of the organisation of workers "De Moederbond" was carried out by individuals apparently incited by indignation at the involvement of that trade union in a recent hospital strike. The Government emphasises that its authorities did not interfere and were not involved in any way in this occupation which took place on 17 September 1982. The Government regrets that the "De Moederbond" trade union did not correct the information supplied in spite of the fact that an exchange of telegrams with the Government had taken place.
3. 294. In its communication of 10 January 1983, the Government states that the military authority has issued an official declaration to the effect that on 8 December 1982 a number of persons detained for their involvement in activities to overthrow the Government through violent means where killed in an unfortunate accident as a result of their attempt to escape custody. The Government states that it will see to it that such occurrences are prevented in the future.
4. 295. The Government, in its communication of 19 February 1983, accepts that a representative of the Director-General visit the country to discuss the questions raised in the complaints.

C. Conclusions of the Committee

1. 296. The Committee must first of all express its deep concern at the gravity of the allegations made in this case, which involve not only the destruction of trade union premises but, more importantly, the death of at least one trade union leader and the arrest or disappearance of others. The Committee notes that, while the occupation and destruction of the premises of the ICFTU's affiliate in Suriname is not denied, both the Government and the complainants give contradictory information in this regard. According to the ICFTU, the young persons who occupied the premises were connected with the authorities and acted out of anti-union motives, whereas the Government categorically denies this. The Committee must note that the complainants, despite the invitation to submit additional information, have not dne so. The Government, on the other hand, supplies supporting evidence in the form of an exchange of telegrams and newspaper clippings categorically denying its involvement in the occupation of the trade union premises.
2. 297. As regards the assassination of Cyril Daal, President of the ICFTU's affiliate in Suriname, allegedly for having advocated a return to democracy and trade union rights, the Committee notes that the Government states that he was detained for activities to overthrow the Government through violent means and that he was accidentally killed when he tried to escape custody. The Committee would emphasise that a climate of violence constitutes a serious impediment to the exercise of trade union rights. It would request the Government to transmit precise information on the circumstances which led to this death, including the results of any inquiry that may be held.
3. 298. The Committee notes that, as regards the alleged detention of trade unionists, the Government supplies no information or observations.
4. 299. The Committee notes that the Government accepts the proposal made by the Director-General to send a direct contacts mission to Suriname in order to elucidate the situation and thereby enable the Committee to reach conclusions in a fuller knowledge of the facts. The Committee hopes that it will have at its disposal at its next session the report of the representative of the Director-General on the situation.