Suriname proposes 2027 conference on Maroon land rights

Suriname’s Minister of Regional Development, Miquella Huur, has proposed organizing a conference in 2027 to address the legal protection of Maroon land rights. The announcement was made during the official commemoration of Maroon Day on October 10.

President Jennifer Simons stated that the government is focusing on land rights and the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). This principle aims to ensure that communities receive sufficient information and can provide voluntary consent regarding decisions that affect their territories and natural resources.

While the proposal seeks to establish legal protections for the collective rights of Maroon communities, local leaders have emphasized the need for concrete improvements. Leo Atomang, chairman of the October 10, 1760 Foundation, called for better infrastructure, specifically requesting road construction from Paramaribo to Boven-Marowijne and Boven-Suriname to improve accessibility to interior villages.