Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 39th Session

Universal Periodic Review of Suriname

Statement by Australia

Monday 1 November 2021

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia commends Suriname for taking steps towards amending the Military Penal Code to abolish the death penalty.  

Australia recommends that Suriname:

1. Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  
2. Establish and fully operationalise a National Human Rights Institution in accordance with the Paris Principles.
3. Enact legislation to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
4. Adopt the draft law on Equal Treatment of Women and Men and ensure it includes a definition of discrimination against women in line with Article 1 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
5. Establish a formal platform to guarantee and protect the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples.