It is with great pleasure that CTI welcomes the accession of the Republic of Suriname to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) on 16 November 2021, becoming UNCAT’s 173^rd State Party. UNCAT entered into force for Suriname last week, on the 16^th of December, 2021.

By its accession to UNCAT without reservations, Suriname stands alongside the international community to reject all forms of torture and ill-treatment and commits to eradicating such practices, reflecting a strengthened alignment with international human rights standards.

With the accession of the Republic of Suriname to the UNCAT, my country reaffirms the rights enshrined in the Constitution that no one shall be subjected to torture, degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment.  Suriname attaches importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights and remains committed to further give effect to the UNCAT.

H.E. Kenneth Amoksi, Minister of Justice and Police of the Republic of Suriname

Suriname’s ratification secures the full ratification of all States in South America, a fantastic milestone for the region. Suriname also becomes UNCAT’s tenth State party in the Caribbean*, a key achievement for the region and CTI’s global campaign towards UNCAT’s universal ratification.

The CTI Core States – Chile, Denmark, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco – launched their initiative in 2014 with the ambition that all UN Member States would join the important fight against torture and strengthen national capacities so that people worldwide can live in safety and peace. The UN Convention against Torture is a key vehicle and framework to help guide States towards stable governance, responsible law enforcement and fair and efficient justice. The Caribbean has been a region of focus for CTI, which has been building on existing good practices and legal traditions to increase capacities and provide technical assistance.

Chile and CTI congratulate Suriname for their accession to the UN Convention against Torture, demonstrating their commitment to the fight against torture. In doing so, Suriname also fulfills commitments made under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, which we commend. CTI is encouraged by a further ratification by a Caribbean State, and looks forward to supporting States in the region and beyond towards universal ratification and implementation of UNCAT.

H.E. Ambassador Frank Tressler, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations in Geneva

CTI is pleased to have contributed to Suriname’s ratification journey, including through CTI’s roundtable in Paramaribo on UNCAT ratification in partnership in 2016, as well as Suriname’s attendance of CTI’s events, which most recently included CTI’s Online workshop on ‘UNCAT: Sharing Experiences of Ratification, Legislative Reform and Reporting’ in December 2020.

CTI invites Suriname to join its Group of Friends, now made up of over 44 governments and will include Suriname in its upcoming activities in the region as the country begins implementing the Convention.

*The other Caribbean States parties are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.