Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Suriname (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the Government's report.

Article 1(a) of the Convention. In its earlier comments the Committee noted that section 1 of Decree No. B-10 of 29 June 1983 prohibits the import, carrying, sale, distribution, possession, storage, production and reproduction of prescribed publications which, in the opinion of the competent authorities, may seriously disturb the public order and national security; section 2 of the Decree provides for penalties of imprisonment and fines. The Committee also referred to the National Decree of 20 July 1956 which submits meetings, open to the public and other meetings in the district of Paramaribo, to prior authorization under section 5 of the Royal Decree of 26 October 1933 (on the exercise of the right of assembly) and provides for penalties involving compulsory labour under sections 8 and 9 of the 1933 Decree.

The Government indicated in its 1994 report that neither Decree No. B-10 nor the National Decree was applied in practice and that the Ministry of Justice had been asked to update the National Decree to bring it into conformity with democratic principles. It reaffirms in its latest report that Decree No. B-10 is not applied in practice and states that, given changes in the political climate of the country, there is no urgency in repealing the Decree.

While noting this information, the Committee trusts that the necessary measures nevertheless will be taken in the near future in order to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention and the indicated practice. It asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on progress made in this regard.

Article 1(c) and (d). In its earlier comments the Committee noted the Government's statement that a draft decree prepared by the Minister of Justice to repeal sections 456 to 458, 462, 463 and 468, and to amend sections 455 and 464 of the Penal Code applying to seafarers would be submitted to the competent authority. The Committee also noted the Government's indications that the draft decree had been approved by the Council of Ministers but had not yet been adopted by the National Assembly or published. In its report of 1994 the Government indicated that this matter would once again be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Justice. It states in its latest report that no progress has been made as regards repealing and amending the abovementioned sections of the Penal Code and indicates that the Ministry of Justice has been once again requested to provide information about this matter. The Committee trusts that the Government will shortly be able to indicate that this matter, on which it has been commenting for many years, has been settled. It asks the Government to communicate information on progress made in its next report.