Indigenous groups in Suriname oppose proposed 5-km land protection law

Indigenous and tribal organizations in Suriname, including Stichting Mulokot and the Indigenous Collective Suriname (IKSur), are criticizing the government's proposed Residential and Living Areas Protection Act, also known as the 5-kilometer radius law.

The organizations argue that a fixed five-kilometer protection zone around village centers is an insufficient solution for collective land rights. They contend that traditional territories—including hunting grounds, fishing areas, and sacred sites—often extend far beyond this radius. They warn that without full recognition, large areas remain vulnerable to logging, mining, and oil exploration.

Critics also point to the government's failure to fully implement rulings from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which have remained unfulfilled for nearly eleven years regarding the land rights of the Kaliña and Lokono peoples. The organizations emphasize that decisions regarding these territories must respect the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Furthermore, IKSur has raised concerns that indigenous land defenders are being treated like criminals, facing prosecution and intimidation while the state fails to meet its international obligations.