A Surinam Crime Before a Dutch Court: Post-Colonial Injustice or Universal Jurisdiction?

Abstract

In Surinam, in December 1982, fifteen political opponents of the military regime were allegedly tortured and killed. Fourteen were of Surinam nationality and one was Dutch. There was never an official inquiry by either the Surinam or the Dutch authorities, but several international bodies investigated and reported on the case. The main responsibility of the crime can be attributed to Mr D.D. Bouterse, who has been able to move freely since 1982 and still appears to be occupying an influential position in Surinam. Recently, however, both the Surinam Court of Justice and the Dutch Amsterdam Court of Appeal have decided that Bouterse can be prosecuted. In Surinam, he is to be prosecuted for murder on the basis of national criminal law. The Amsterdam Court ordered that prosecution take place for the international crime of torture on the basis of universal jurisdiction.