ABSTRACT
After military rule in Suriname during the 1980s, political and civil rights have been reinstated despite the inefficacy of ordinary law enforcement. Under civilian rule in the 1990s progress has been made in the restoration of human rights, but social and economic rights continue to suffer because of the stagnation of the country's economy. This chapter examines whether a balance between civil/political and economic/social rights can be worked out to prevent repeated authoritarian interruptions is explored through an assessment of the connections among political instability, economic stagnation, and decrease of state security in Suriname. With the creation of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in 1994, Suriname became a member of that body, and in 1995 its membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was approved. The further democratization of society and diversification of its economy and international relations may be decisive for the nature of human rights in Suriname.
