Astrid Essed

[2]

WIKIPEDIA

DECEMBERMURDERS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_murders

NL TIMES

HIGH COURT SENTENCES FORMER SURINAME LEADER

BOUTERSE TO 20 YEARS FOR DECEMBER MURDERS

20 DECEMBER 2023

https://nltimes.nl/2023/12/20/high-court-sentences-former-suriname-leader-bouterse-20-years-december-murders

The top court in Suriname affirmed the conviction and 20-year prison sentence against Desi Bouterse, the former president of Suriname, for his role in the December Murders. The High Court of Justice issued the final verdict in the case on Wednesday. However, the High Court did not call for Bouterse’s immediate request.

Bouterse, now 78 years of age, was not present when the verdict was read. He has always maintained his innocence. In its decision, the High Court affirmed two lower court rulings.

Bouterse, who formerly lead the military, staged a coup in February 1980 in which he deposed the Surinamese government. Nearly three years later, Bouterse’s regime rousted 15 prominent Surinamese people from their homes in the middle of the night in an operation that began on December 7, 1982.

Seen as political opponents, the 15 people were taken to Fort Zeelandia, which Bouterse used as his headquarters at the time. The victims were first tortured before being killed by soldiers. The group of victims includes union leaders, journalists, university lecturers, soldiers, attorneys, and businessmen.

Bouterse was convicted in absentia and sentenced to 20 years in prison during a court-martial procedure in 2019. The Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction and sentence in 2021.

This week, the Dutch Embassy in Suriname issued a warning to Dutch people in the country regarding the outcome of the trial. A threat analysis by Suriname’s police and intelligence offices cautioned that Bouterse’s supporters, of which there are many, could intend to endanger public safety if the former president was convicted.

The threat analysis leaked out in December, stating there were “real and very serious threats.”

END

APNEWS.COM

SURINAME’S EX-DICTATOR SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON 

FOR THE 1982 KILLINGS OF POLITICAL OPPONENTS

20 DECEMBER 2023

https://apnews.com/article/bouterse-sentence-suriname-killings-1982-06f6ec073ca947fc862af1beb35993e4

PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP) — Suriname’s former dictator Desi Bouterse was sentenced on Wednesday to 20 years in prison for the murders of 15 opponents of the then-military regime in December 1982, ending a historic 16-year legal process.

Bouterse, 78, was previously sentenced in the case in 2019 and in 2021 but had appealed both decisions. The court on Wednesday upheld his conviction and the latest sentencing was seen as final with no more appeals allowed. The judge handed down 20 years given the ex-president’s age and that it was the highest sentence allowed at the time of the killings.

“We have received a gem of a verdict,” said Hugo Essed, lawyer for the victims’ relatives, adding that he can now “proudly” say there is an independent constitutional state in Suriname.

Neither Bouterse, nor his four co-suspects, who were sentenced to 15 years in prison, were present in the courtroom for the sentencing.

Bouterse’s lawyer, Irvin Kanhai, said he disagreed with the verdict and had expected an acquittal, but would go into detail at a later date. “I am going to my client now,” he told journalists.

The former president remains chair of the National Democratic Party and some fear unrest in parts of Suriname. Die-hard supporters call him “boss” and have maintained they will not accept a conviction. Bouterse has urged calm several times. Tight security measures were in place in part of the capital of Paramaribo.

Bouterse still has the option of requesting a presidential pardon, but according to Essed, the legislation in Suriname is unclear on the issue. “If a request for clemency is made, it is not expected that the Court will advise on granting it.”

Henk Kamperveen, the son of Andre Kamperveen, one of the 15 people killed, said it took a long time, but the legal process against Bouterse has finally come to an end.

“We’re not going to celebrate,” he added, saying it is not a victory for the relatives, but for the rule of law in Suriname.

Prosecutors had demanded the immediate imprisonment of Bouterse, but the judge did not back the request. “How and when (Bouterse’s imprisonment) will happen is up to the prosecution,” said Essed.

Bouterse led a bloodless coup to become dictator from 1980 to 1987 and was democratically elected president from 2010 to 2020.

He and two dozen others were accused of rounding up well-known people including lawyers, journalists and a university professor and executing them in 1982 in a colonial fortress in Paramaribo.

The former dictator has accepted “political responsibility” but insists he was not present for the killings known as the “December murders.”

The criminal trial began in 2007, a quarter-century after the events it relates to. A total of 25 suspects were initially accused in the killings. A dozen have been acquitted, six have died and five have been sentenced. Two have been convicted but are believed to have fled Suriname.

Bouterse unsuccessfully tried to push through an amnesty law after being elected in 2010. Then in 2016, he ordered Suriname’s attorney general to halt legal proceedings for alleged national security reasons. A court rejected that.

END

[1]

ALJAZEERA

DESI BOUTERSE, SURINAME’S FUGITIVE FORMER PRESIDENT,

DIES AT 79

25 DECEMBER 2024

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/25/desi-bouterse-surinames-fugitive-former-president-dies-at-79

Government extends condolences for death of Bouterse, ex-leader convicted for role in 1982 killing of activists.

Desi Bouterse, the former president of Suriname who fled authorities to avoid jail after his conviction over the murder of activists in the 1980s, has died at age 79, the government says.

“In anticipation of more detailed and definitive information from official channels, we would like to offer our condolences to the wife, children and other surviving relatives for this loss,” President Chan Santokhi said in a statement on Wednesday, referring to Bouterse.

Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk wrote on Facebook that Bouterse’s “life had a lasting impact on our country and his efforts will not be forgotten”.

His cause of death was not immediately clear, and the government did not provide details on where Bouterse died on Tuesday.

A divisive figure, Bouterse was applauded by supporters for his charisma and populist social programmes but viewed by his opponents as a ruthless dictator who was convicted of drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings.

He dominated politics in the small country on the northeastern coast of South America for decades, leading a coup in 1980 and finally leaving office in 2020.

In 2019, he and six other people were convicted for their roles in the 1982 murders of 15 leading government critics, including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors.

Bouterse had claimed the murdered men were connected to a planned invasion of the former Dutch colony.

In December last year, Bouterse was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murders, ending a historic 16-year legal process.

He then vanished and never served time in jail.

“There is nobody who has shaped the history of Suriname since its independence like Desi Bouterse,” said Dutch historian Pepijn Reeser, who wrote a biography of Bouterse in 2015.

He said Bouterse was the first to overcome the stark social class divide that once defined Suriname.

“Before the coup, it was unthinkable somebody from the lower class could become the most powerful man of the country. But he was also the first postcolonial leader to resort to political violence and the first to use Suriname as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics,” Reeser said.

In 1999, a Dutch court sentenced Bouterse in absentia to 11 years in prison for smuggling more than 453kg (1,000lb) of cocaine to the Netherlands. The absence of an extradition treaty between the nations meant he never served his time in prison.

Early on Wednesday, dozens of supporters gathered outside Bouterse’s home, where his wife lived, tears streaming down their faces.

Many were dressed in purple, the colour of his political party.

END

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

EX-PRESIDENT DESI BOUTERSE

MAIL TO THE GHANA REPORT/’DESI BOUTERSE IS NO ”PEOPLE’S HERO”/THIEF/DICTATOR/CRIMINAL AGAINST HUMANITY/[LETTER TO THE EDITOR]

Desi Bouterse is no ”People’s hero”/Thief/Dictator/Criminal against humanity

Astrid Essed

From:astridessed@yahoo.com

To:info@theghanareport.com

Tue, Jan 14 at 11:56 AM

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

Shortly before Christmas former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse died

at the age of 79.

And almost immediately he was depicted as a sort of Saint by ”

birds of various feathers”

So in the Surinamese parliament, the ”Nationale Assemblee”,

Bouterse was called ”a courageous leader”, a ”great son” and ”inspiring”

Others called him a ”People’s hero’, the man, who pursued social reforms,

a man, ”who fought for the poor”.

Many people, including the prime minister of Barbados, mrs Mottley [who

gave a statement at the death of ex president Bouterse], called Desi Bouterse

”charismatic”

Memorial services were being held, as in Suriname as in the Netherlands

[Suriname’s former colonizer, where many Surinamese live nowadays]

and not a few numer of people let their tears flow freely and recalled Bouterse’s 

”social engagement”

Now it is true, that in his time as president, Bouterse pursued a number of

social reforms, which meant a lot for many people in a poor country 

like Suriname, but there was handled irresponsibly with the financial

resources of the country with as a consequence, that after two periods of

presidency, Bouterse plunged Suriname into near-bankruptcy.

And not to forget:

Bouterse greatly enriched himself and his political friends at the cost

of the Surinamese people.

We call that theft and corruption!

People should realize that yet apart from the misery he brought to

thousands and thousands of young peole with the opening of

the country to the drug trade.

But there is more….

Bouterse appeared on the Surinamese political scene as the leader

of the 25 february 1980 military coup, with which he overthrew the

democratic system.

After an initial false-friendly Period, soon sordid human rights violations

made their appearance:

The death, after a suspicious police intrrogation, of alleged contra coup plotter,

the Surinamese ex KNIL [former Dutch colonial Army in then Dutch East Indies,

since 1948 Indonesia] military Fred Ormskerk [1980], the arrest and detention without trial of former politicians, the execution of contra coup plotter major Hawker, lying wounded on a brancard, [march 1982], with as one of the darkest events, the arrest and extrajudicial execution [after torture] of fifteen political opponents of

the Bouterse military regime, theDecembermurders [december 1982]!

The two courageous women’s marches as a protest against the Decembermurders must be mentioned here and deserve an honourable

page in Surinamese history!

Then major Horb, former right hand man of Bouterse, died under suspicious

circumstances in a police cell, after his arrest. [ February 1983]

After the Decembermurders, Bouterse c.s. established a dictatorship,

that would last until 1987, when the first free elections took place.

During the civil war with former bodyguard Brunswijk [leader of

the Jungle Commando], one of the worst human rights violations

under Bouterse took place:

In the maroon village Moiwana, more then 39 civilians were

killed by the National Army under responsibility of commander in Chief, Desi

Bouterse/A mass slaughter and crime against humanity!

In 1987 Bouterse established his political party NDP [that led a big defeat

at the 1987 elections!] and during the years Bouterse made himself popular

with populist and nice sounding speeches, presents to his political fans and

some social reforms.

That may be so, but fact remains, that Bouterse and co are guilty of

theft, torture, executions and mass slaughter: Crimes against humanity.

Because of the ”Saint Declaration” of Bouterse, this Letter is written.

So that his crimes will not be forgotten.

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

EX-PRESIDENT DESI BOUTERSE

MAIL ASTRID ESSED TO THE GRENADIAN VOICE/DESI BOUTERSE  NO

”PEOPLE’S HERO”/THIEF/DICTATOR/CRIMINAL AGAINST HUMANITY/[LETTER TO THE EDITOR]

Desi Bouterse is no ”People’s hero/Thief/Dictator/Criminal against humanity

Astrid Essed

From:astridessed@yahoo.com

To:grenadianvoice@gmail.com

Sat, Jan 11 at 4:11 AM

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

Shortly before Christmas former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse died

at the age of 79.

And almost immediately he was depicted as a sort of Saint by ”

birds of various feathers”

So in the Surinamese parliament, the ”Nationale Assemblee”,

Bouterse was called ”a courageous leader”, a ”great son” and ”inspiring”

Others called him a ”People’s hero’, the man, who pursued social reforms,

a man, ”who fought for the poor”.

Many people, including the prime minister of Barbados, mrs Mottley [who

gave a statement at the death of ex president Bouterse], called Desi Bouterse

”charismatic”

Memorial services were being held, as in Suriname as in the Netherlands

[Suriname’s former colonizer, where many Surinamese live nowadays]

and not a few numer of people let their tears flow freely and recalled Bouterse’s 

”social engagement”

Now it is true, that in his time as president, Bouterse pursued a number of

social reforms, which meant a lot for many people in a poor country 

like Suriname, but there was handled irresponsibly with the financial

resources of the country with as a consequence, that after two periods of

presidency, Bouterse plunged Suriname into near-bankruptcy.

And not to forget:

Bouterse greatly enriched himself and his political friends at the cost

of the Surinamese people.

We call that theft and corruption!

People should realize that yet apart from the misery he brought to

thousands and thousands of young peole with the opening of

the country to the drug trade.

But there is more….

Bouterse appeared on the Surinamese political scene as the leader

of the 25 february 1980 military coup, with which he overthrew the

democratic system.

After an initial false-friendly Period, soon sordid human rights violations

made their appearance:

The death, after a suspicious police intrrogation, of alleged contra coup plotter,

the Surinamese ex KNIL [former Dutch colonial Army in then Dutch East Indies,

since 1948 Indonesia] military Fred Ormskerk [1980], the arrest and detention without trial of former politicians, the execution of contra coup plotter major Hawker, lying wounded on a brancard, [march 1982], with as one of the darkest events, the arrest and extrajudicial execution [after torture] of fifteen political opponents of

the Bouterse military regime, theDecembermurders [december 1982]!

The two courageous women’s marches as a protest against the Decembermurders must be mentioned here and deserve an honourable

page in Surinamese history!

Then major Horb, former right hand man of Bouterse, died under suspicious

circumstances in a police cell, after his arrest. [ February 1983]

After the Decembermurders, Bouterse c.s. established a dictatorship,

that would last until 1987, when the first free elections took place.

During the civil war with former bodyguard Brunswijk [leader of

the Jungle Commando], one of the worst human rights violations

under Bouterse took place:

In the maroon village Moiwana, more then 39 civilians were

killed by the National Army under responsibility of commander in Chief, Desi

Bouterse/A mass slaughter and crime against humanity!

In 1987 Bouterse established his political party NDP [that led a big defeat

at the 1987 elections!] and during the years Bouterse made himself popular

with populist and nice sounding speeches, presents to his political fans and

some social reforms.

That may be so, but fact remains, that Bouterse and co are guilty of

theft, torture, executions and mass slaughter: Crimes against humanity.

Because of the ”Saint Declaration” of Bouterse, this Letter is written.

So that his crimes will not be forgotten.

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

EX-PRESIDENT DESI BOUTERSE

DESI BOUTERSE IS NO ”PEOPLE’S HERO”/THIEF/DICTATOR/CRIMINAL AGAINST HUMANITY

Desi Bouterse is no ”People’s hero”/Thief/Dictator/Criminal against humanity

Astrid Essed

From:astridessed@yahoo.com

To:news@guyanatimesgy.com

Sat, Jan 11 at 4:15 AM

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

Shortly before Christmas former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse died

at the age of 79.

And almost immediately he was depicted as a sort of Saint by ”

birds of various feathers”

So in the Surinamese parliament, the ”Nationale Assemblee”,

Bouterse was called ”a courageous leader”, a ”great son” and ”inspiring”

Others called him a ”People’s hero’, the man, who pursued social reforms,

a man, ”who fought for the poor”.

Many people, including the prime minister of Barbados, mrs Mottley [who

gave a statement at the death of ex president Bouterse], called Desi Bouterse

”charismatic”

Memorial services were being held, as in Suriname as in the Netherlands

[Suriname’s former colonizer, where many Surinamese live nowadays]

and not a few numer of people let their tears flow freely and recalled Bouterse’s 

”social engagement”

Now it is true, that in his time as president, Bouterse pursued a number of

social reforms, which meant a lot for many people in a poor country 

like Suriname, but there was handled irresponsibly with the financial

resources of the country with as a consequence, that after two periods of

presidency, Bouterse plunged Suriname into near-bankruptcy.

And not to forget:

Bouterse greatly enriched himself and his political friends at the cost

of the Surinamese people.

We call that theft and corruption!

People should realize that yet apart from the misery he brought to

thousands and thousands of young peole with the opening of

the country to the drug trade.

But there is more….

Bouterse appeared on the Surinamese political scene as the leader

of the 25 february 1980 military coup, with which he overthrew the

democratic system.

After an initial false-friendly Period, soon sordid human rights violations

made their appearance:

The death, after a suspicious police intrrogation, of alleged contra coup plotter,

the Surinamese ex KNIL [former Dutch colonial Army in then Dutch East Indies,

since 1948 Indonesia] military Fred Ormskerk [1980], the arrest and detention without trial of former politicians, the execution of contra coup plotter major Hawker, lying wounded on a brancard, [march 1982], with as one of the darkest events, the arrest and extrajudicial execution [after torture] of fifteen political opponents of

the Bouterse military regime, theDecembermurders [december 1982]!

The two courageous women’s marches as a protest against the Decembermurders must be mentioned here and deserve an honourable

page in Surinamese history!

Then major Horb, former right hand man of Bouterse, died under suspicious

circumstances in a police cell, after his arrest. [ February 1983]

After the Decembermurders, Bouterse c.s. established a dictatorship,

that would last until 1987, when the first free elections took place.

During the civil war with former bodyguard Brunswijk [leader of

the Jungle Commando], one of the worst human rights violations

under Bouterse took place:

In the maroon village Moiwana, more then 39 civilians were

killed by the National Army under responsibility of commander in Chief, Desi

Bouterse/A mass slaughter and crime against humanity!

In 1987 Bouterse established his political party NDP [that led a big defeat

at the 1987 elections!] and during the years Bouterse made himself popular

with populist and nice sounding speeches, presents to his political fans and

some social reforms.

That may be so, but fact remains, that Bouterse and co are guilty of

theft, torture, executions and mass slaughter: Crimes against humanity.

Because of the ”Saint Declaration” of Bouterse, this Letter is written.

So that his crimes will not be forgotten.

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

SEE ALSO FROM THE SAME NEWSPAPER:

GUYANA TIMES

SURPRISE…..ON BOUTERSE

8 JANUARY 2025

Surprise… on Bouterse

Your Eyewitness must say he was quite dumbfounded when he read the tributes of the Guyanese delegation to the funeral of ex-Surinamese dictator Desi Bouterse. Your Eyewitness is quite aware that we Guyanese – as good colonial subjects – imbibed the British stiff upper lip tradition expressed in Latin, “De mortuis nil, nisi bonnum – of the dead, speak only the good”. But jeez, our delegates were so over the top!! “One of the Caribbean’s great souls”, crooned ex-president Donald Ramotar!! Doesn’t say much about the Caribbean of Loverture and Cuffy, does it??!!
Criticising Western nations’ support for Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza and Ukraine’s stance against Russia, Ramotar declared, “It is those same morally bankrupt and decadent politicians that have persecuted Comrade Bouterse. Those are the same ones that persecuted and accused him of all types of things.”
Now, whatever else Bouterse might’ve achieved, can the Guyanese politicos who offered those peans to his glory forget he was CONVICTED by a Surinamese Court of ordering the 1982 round up, torture and murder of FIFTEEN civil society critics – including lawyers, journalists, and a university professor – of his 1980 “Sergeants’ coup”, that led to a seven-year military dictatorship??
The former dictator had conceded “political responsibility”, but had insisted that since he wasn’t present for the killings – known as the “December murders – he shouldn’t be prosecuted.” He had unsuccessfully tried to push through an amnesty law after being elected in 2010. Then, in 2016, he had ordered Suriname’s Attorney General to halt legal proceedings for alleged “national security” reasons. A court rejected that.
All of us know that there’s no morality in international politics, where nations cold-bloodedly pursue their interests; but, surely, we gotta draw the line somewhere when it comes to political leaders murdering their own citizens for merely expressing their opinions.
To say – as the Guyanese ex-president did – that Bouterse was for the ordinary working people, and then use this as an excuse for canonising him as a national hero is really too much.
Would he say the same about Forbes Burnham, whom a Commission of Inquiry concluded was responsible for the assassination of Walter Rodney?? Burnham was also for “the little man”, wasn’t he?? And he wasn’t actually at Bent and George Streets when Gregory Smith detonated that bomb which blew away Rodney’s face, was he??
Most interestingly, Joseph Harmon – who had been a major in the GDF then – said Burnham had picked him to discuss an “international issue” with Bouterse – the Suriname military dictator!! “From that day onwards, we have had long meetings,” reminisced Harmon fondly.
After a 2004 MOU signed between Bouterse’s party and the PNC, according to Wikileaks, Bouterse’s son took weapons into Buxton!!

…on Exxon’s reach??
Your Eyewitness is surprised at the continued war of attrition being waged by a recalcitrant minority to force the Government to “force” Exxon to the “renegotiation table”!! Yet, these are the same people who snicker at Cheddi Jagan’s “naivete” in denouncing the Americans as “imperialists” who were sucking out our wealth and enriching themselves. Now, your Eyewitness has emphasized that, with changed circumstances, the reactions of countries may also change. For example, by 1990, Gorbachev’s Glasnost had made Cheddi acceptable to the Yanks – cause their interests weren’t threatened no mo’.
But ideological affinity ain’t the only interest, and in fact mightn’t even be the most important one to the Yanks. American business was, is, and will always be numero uno – around which all others revolve. So, do these “negotiators” think Exxon does not influence its government when it comes to protecting its interests in an age where energy security trumps all?? Remember Tillerton??
And please…we’re no Canada, or even Newfoundland, when it comes to breaking the sanctity of contracts!!

…confession?
In explaining its stubborn efforts to forge a coalition of opposition parties to contest the 2025 General Elections, the remnants of Rodney’s party admitted their motivation: “WPA realistically cannot win an election on its own”!!
You think ever?

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

EX-PRESIDENT DESI BOUTERSE

MAIL ASTRID ESSED TO THE GUYANA CHRONICLE/”DESI BOUTERSE IS NO ”PEOPLE’S HERO”/THIEF/DICTATOR/CRIMINAL AGAINST HUMANITY/[LETTER TO THE EDITOR]

Desi Bouterse is no ”People’s hero/Thief/Dictator/Criminal against humanity

Astrid Essed

From:astridessed@yahoo.com

To:gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Sat, Jan 11 at 3:45 AM

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

Shortly before Christmas former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse died

at the age of 79.

And almost immediately he was depicted as a sort of Saint by ”

birds of various feathers”

So in the Surinamese parliament, the ”Nationale Assemblee”,

Bouterse was called ”a courageous leader”, a ”great son” and ”inspiring”

Others called him a ”People’s hero’, the man, who pursued social reforms,

a man, ”who fought for the poor”.

Many people, including the prime minister of Barbados, mrs Mottley [who

gave a statement at the death of ex president Bouterse], called Desi Bouterse

”charismatic”

Memorial services were being held, as in Suriname as in the Netherlands

[Suriname’s former colonizer, where many Surinamese live nowadays]

and not a few numer of people let their tears flow freely and recalled Bouterse’s 

”social engagement”

Now it is true, that in his time as president, Bouterse pursued a number of

social reforms, which meant a lot for many people in a poor country 

like Suriname, but there was handled irresponsibly with the financial

resources of the country with as a consequence, that after two periods of

presidency, Bouterse plunged Suriname into near-bankruptcy.

And not to forget:

Bouterse greatly enriched himself and his political friends at the cost

of the Surinamese people.

We call that theft and corruption!

People should realize that yet apart from the misery he brought to

thousands and thousands of young peole with the opening of

the country to the drug trade.

But there is more….

Bouterse appeared on the Surinamese political scene as the leader

of the 25 february 1980 military coup, with which he overthrew the

democratic system.

After an initial false-friendly Period, soon sordid human rights violations

made their appearance:

The death, after a suspicious police intrrogation, of alleged contra coup plotter,

the Surinamese ex KNIL [former Dutch colonial Army in then Dutch East Indies,

since 1948 Indonesia] military Fred Ormskerk [1980], the arrest and detention without trial of former politicians, the execution of contra coup plotter major Hawker, lying wounded on a brancard, [march 1982], with as one of the darkest events, the arrest and extrajudicial execution [after torture] of fifteen political opponents of

the Bouterse military regime, theDecembermurders [december 1982]!

The two courageous women’s marches as a protest against the Decembermurders must be mentioned here and deserve an honourable

page in Surinamese history!

Then major Horb, former right hand man of Bouterse, died under suspicious

circumstances in a police cell, after his arrest. [ February 1983]

After the Decembermurders, Bouterse c.s. established a dictatorship,

that would last until 1987, when the first free elections took place.

During the civil war with former bodyguard Brunswijk [leader of

the Jungle Commando], one of the worst human rights violations

under Bouterse took place:

In the maroon village Moiwana, more then 39 civilians were

killed by the National Army under responsibility of commander in Chief, Desi

Bouterse/A mass slaughter and crime against humanity!

In 1987 Bouterse established his political party NDP [that led a big defeat

at the 1987 elections!] and during the years Bouterse made himself popular

with populist and nice sounding speeches, presents to his political fans and

some social reforms.

That may be so, but fact remains, that Bouterse and co are guilty of

theft, torture, executions and mass slaughter: Crimes against humanity.

Because of the ”Saint Declaration” of Bouterse, this Letter is written.

So that his crimes will not be forgotten.

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

EX-PRESIDENT DESI BOUTERSEMAIL ASTRID ESSED TO THE JAMAICA GLEANER/”DESI BOUTERSE IS NO

”PEOPLE’S HERO/THIEF/DICTATOR/CRIMINAL AGAINST HUMANITY/[LETTER TO THE EDITOR]

Desi Bouterse is no ”People’s hero”/Thief/Dictator/Criminal against humanity

Astrid Essed

From:astridessed@yahoo.com

To:letters@gleanerjm.com

Fri, Jan 10 at 3:01 PM

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

Shortly before Christmas former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse died

at the age of 79.

And almost immediately he was depicted as a sort of Saint by ”

birds of various feathers”

So in the Surinamese parliament, the ”Nationale Assemblee”,

Bouterse was called ”a courageous leader”, a ”great son” and ”inspiring”

Others called him a ”People’s hero’, the man, who pursued social reforms,

a man, ”who fought for the poor”.

Many people, including the prime minister of Barbados, mrs Mottley [who

gave a statement at the death of ex president Bouterse], called Desi Bouterse

”charismatic”

Memorial services were being held, as in Suriname as in the Netherlands

[Suriname’s former colonizer, where many Surinamese live nowadays]

and not a few numer of people let their tears flow freely and recalled Bouterse’s 

”social engagement”

Now it is true, that in his time as president, Bouterse pursued a number of

social reforms, which meant a lot for many people in a poor country 

like Suriname, but there was handled irresponsibly with the financial

resources of the country with as a consequence, that after two periods of

presidency, Bouterse plunged Suriname into near-bankruptcy.

And not to forget:

Bouterse greatly enriched himself and his political friends at the cost

of the Surinamese people.

We call that theft and corruption!

People should realize that yet apart from the misery he brought to

thousands and thousands of young peole with the opening of

the country to the drug trade.

But there is more….

Bouterse appeared on the Surinamese political scene as the leader

of the 25 february 1980 military coup, with which he overthrew the

democratic system.

After an initial false-friendly Period, soon sordid human rights violations

made their appearance:

The death, after a suspicious police intrrogation, of alleged contra coup plotter,

the Surinamese ex KNIL [former Dutch colonial Army in then Dutch East Indies,

since 1948 Indonesia] military Fred Ormskerk [1980], the arrest and detention without trial of former politicians, the execution of contra coup plotter major Hawker, lying wounded on a brancard, [march 1982], with as one of the darkest events, the arrest and extrajudicial execution [after torture] of fifteen political opponents of

the Bouterse military regime, theDecembermurders [december 1982]!

The two courageous women’s marches as a protest against the Decembermurders must be mentioned here and deserve an honourable

page in Surinamese history!

Then major Horb, former right hand man of Bouterse, died under suspicious

circumstances in a police cell, after his arrest. [ February 1983]

After the Decembermurders, Bouterse c.s. established a dictatorship,

that would last until 1987, when the first free elections took place.

During the civil war with former bodyguard Brunswijk [leader of

the Jungle Commando], one of the worst human rights violations

under Bouterse took place:

In the maroon village Moiwana, more then 39 civilians were

killed by the National Army under responsibility of commander in Chief, Desi

Bouterse/A mass slaughter and crime against humanity!

In 1987 Bouterse established his political party NDP [that led a big defeat

at the 1987 elections!] and during the years Bouterse made himself popular

with populist and nice sounding speeches, presents to his political fans and

some social reforms.

That may be so, but fact remains, that Bouterse and co are guilty of

theft, torture, executions and mass slaughter: Crimes against humanity.

Because of the ”Saint Declaration” of Bouterse, this Letter is written.

So that his crimes will not be forgotten.

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

DESI BOUTERSE

MAIL ASTRID ESSED TO THE NEWSPAPER BARBADOS TODAY/”DESI BOUTERSE IS NO ”PEOPLE”S HERO”/THIEF/DICTATOR/CRIMINAL AGAINST HUMANITY [LETTER TO THE EDITOR]

Desi Bouterse is no ”People’s hero”/Thief/Dictator/Criminal against humanity

Astrid Essed

From:astridessed@yahoo.com

To:info@barbadostoday.bb

Fri, Jan 10 at 2:01 PM

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

Shortly before Christmas former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse died

at the age of 79.

And almost immediately he was depicted as a sort of Saint by ”

birds of various feathers”

So in the Surinamese parliament, the ”Nationale Assemblee”,

Bouterse was called ”a courageous leader”, a ”great son” and ”inspiring”

Others called him a ”People’s hero’, the man, who pursued social reforms,

a man, ”who fought for the poor”.

Many people, including the prime minister of Barbados, mrs Mottley [who

gave a statement at the death of ex president Bouterse], called Desi Bouterse

”charismatic”

Memorial services were being held, as in Suriname as in the Netherlands

[Suriname’s former colonizer, where many Surinamese live nowadays]

and not a few numer of people let their tears flow freely and recalled Bouterse’s 

”social engagement”

Now it is true, that in his time as president, Bouterse pursued a number of

social reforms, which meant a lot for many people in a poor country 

like Suriname, but there was handled irresponsibly with the financial

resources of the country with as a consequence, that after two periods of

presidency, Bouterse plunged Suriname into near-bankruptcy.

And not to forget:

Bouterse greatly enriched himself and his political friends at the cost

of the Surinamese people.

We call that theft and corruption!

People should realize that yet apart from the misery he brought to

thousands and thousands of young peole with the opening of

the country to the drug trade.

But there is more….

Bouterse appeared on the Surinamese political scene as the leader

of the 25 february 1980 military coup, with which he overthrew the

democratic system.

After an initial false-friendly Period, soon sordid human rights violations

made their appearance:

The death, after a suspicious police intrrogation, of alleged contra coup plotter,

the Surinamese ex KNIL [former Dutch colonial Army in then Dutch East Indies,

since 1948 Indonesia] military Fred Ormskerk [1980], the arrest and detention without trial of former politicians, the execution of contra coup plotter major Hawker [march 1982], with as one of the darkest events, the arrest and extrajudicial execution [after torture] of fifteen political opponents of

the Bouterse military regime, theDecembermurders [december 1982]!

The two courageous women’s marches as a protest against the Decembermurders must be mentioned here and deserve an honourable

page in Surinamese history!

Then major Horb, former right hand man of Bouterse, died under suspicious

circumstances in a police cell, after his arrest. [ February 1983]

After the Decembermurders, Bouterse c.s. established a dictatorship,

that would last until 1987, when the first free elections took place.

During the civil war with former bodyguard Brunswijk [leader of

the Jungle Commando], one of the worst human rights violations

under Bouterse took place:

In the maroon village Moiwana, more then 39 civilians were

killed by the National Army under responsibility of commander in Chief, Desi

Bouterse/A mass slaughter and crime against humanity!

In 1987 Bouterse established his political party NDP [that led a big defeat

at the 1987 elections!] and during the years Bouterse made himself popular

with populist and nice sounding speeches, presents to his political fans and

some social reforms.

That may be so, but fact remains, that Bouterse and co are guilty of

theft, torture, executions and mass slaughter: Crimes against humanity.

Because of the ”Saint Declaration” of Bouterse, this Letter is written.

So that his crimes will not be forgotten.

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

Deze foto van de tweede grote vrouwenmars in Paramaribo, vorige week donderdag, is nu pas naar buiten gekomen. De politie dreef de betogers op het onafhankelijkheidsplein uiteen. (Nieuws van de Dag, 22 december 1982)DAPPERE VROUWEN, DIE  NA DE DECEMBERMOORDEN,HET AANDURFDEN DE STRAAT OP TE GAAN OM TE PROTESTEREN!http://kennisaanval.blogspot.com/2012/01/revolutie-in-suriname.html‘

Monument op Fort Zeelandia, op 8 december 2009 onthuld door president Ronald Venetiaan
MONUMENT VOOR DE SLACHTOFFERS [METHUN NAMEN] VAN DEDECEMBERMOORDEN IN SURINAME OP FORTZEELANDIA, WAAR ZE ZIJN GEEXECUTEERDhttps://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decembermoorden

DE WARE TIJD

DESI BOUTERSE GEEN ”VOLKSHELD”

7 JANUARI 2025

Desi Bouterse geen ‘volksheld’

INGEZONDEN

Kort vóór Kerstmis overleed ex-president Desi Bouterse op 79-jarige leeftijd. En vrijwel direct na zijn overlijden kreeg hij door vogels van diverse pluimage een bijna ‘heiligenstatus’ toebedeeld. Zo werd er in De Nationale Assemblee [het Surinaamse parlement] gesproken over Bouterse als “moedige leider”, “grote zoon” en “inspirerend”. Anderen weer zagen hem als “volksheld”, de man, die sociale hervormingen doorvoer en “vocht” voor de armen.

Er werden herdenkingsbijeenkomsten georganiseerd, zowel in Suriname als in Nederland en een niet onaanzienlijk aantal mensen liet hun tranen de vrije loop en memoreerde zijn sociale inzet. Nu was het inderdaad zo dat tijdens de regeerperiode van Bouterse als president een aantal sociale verbeteringen is doorgevoerd, die in een arm land als Suriname zeker verlichting boden, maar er werd onverantwoordelijk met ’s lands financiële middelen omgesprongen, waardoor Bouterse Suriname na twee regeerperioden praktisch bankroet achterliet.

“Vanwege de ‘heiligverklaring’ van Bouterse is dit stuk geschreven. Opdat zijn misdaden en de rampzalige stempel, die hij op Suriname heeft gedrukt, niet worden vergeten”

Daarbij verrijkte hij zichzelf en zijn politieke vrienden enorm, waardoor hij het Surinaamse volk schandalig heeft bestolen. Dat zouden de mensen zich moeten realiseren, nog afgezien van de ellende, die hij over duizenden jongeren heeft gebracht door de openstelling van Suriname voor de drugshandel.

Maar er is meer: Bouterse verscheen op Surinames politieke toneel als leider van de militaire coup op 25 februari 1980, waarmee hij het democratische staatsbestel omverwierp. Na een aanvankelijk vals-vriendelijk gezicht kwamen al snel kwalijke mensenrechtenschendingen:

De dood, na een verdacht politieverhoor van would be tegencouppleger, de Surinaamse ex-KNIL-militair Fred Ormskerk [1980], arrestatie en opsluiting zonder vorm van proces van voormalige politieke leiders, de executie van de gewonde op een brancard liggende tegencouper sergeant majoor Hawker [maart 1982], met als dieptepunt de standrechtelijke executie van vijftien politieke tegenstanders van het militaire regime-Bouterse, de zogenoemde Decembermoorden.

Niet uitvlakken wil ik hier het moedige verpleegstersprotest daags na de Decembermoorden. Ook overleed een voormalig medestander en rechterhand van Bouterse, majoor Horb, onder verdachte omstandigheden in een politiecel [1983].

Bouterse cs vestigden een dictatuur, die zou voortduren tot de eerste verkiezingen in 1987. In de met Brunswijk [leider Jungle Commando] uitgevochten Binnenlandse Oorlog zijn in het marrondorp Moiwana onder verantwoordelijkheid van Bouterse als legerbevelhebber meer dan 39 burgers gedood. Een massaslachting dus.

Na een aantal jaren richtte Desi Bouterse zijn partij de NDP op, maakte zich populair door mooie toespraken en enkele doorgevoerde sociale verbeteringen. Laat niet onverlet, dat Bouterse en co zich schuldig hebben gemaakt aan foltering, diefstal, executies en massamoord; misdaden tegen de menselijkheid.

Vanwege de ‘heiligverklaring’ van Bouterse is dit stuk geschreven. Opdat zijn misdaden en de rampzalige stempel, die hij op Suriname heeft gedrukt, niet worden vergeten.

Astrid Essed

ANP

https://nos.nl/artikel/2549595-surinaamse-oud-president-desi-bouterse-79-overleden

Deze foto van de tweede grote vrouwenmars in Paramaribo, vorige week donderdag, is nu pas naar buiten gekomen. De politie dreef de betogers op het onafhankelijkheidsplein uiteen. (Nieuws van de Dag, 22 december 1982)DAPPERE VROUWEN, DIE  NA DE DECEMBERMOORDEN,HET AANDURFDEN DE STRAAT OP TE GAAN OM TE PROTESTEREN!http://kennisaanval.blogspot.com/2012/01/revolutie-in-suriname.html‘

Monument op Fort Zeelandia, op 8 december 2009 onthuld door president Ronald Venetiaan
MONUMENT VOOR DE SLACHTOFFERS [METHUN NAMEN] VAN DEDECEMBERMOORDEN IN SURINAME OP FORTZEELANDIA, WAAR ZE ZIJN GEEXECUTEERDhttps://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decembermoorden

DESI BOUTERSE GEEN ”VOLKSHELD”/DIEF/DICTATOR/MISDADIGER

TEGEN DE MENSELIJKHEID/[INGEZONDEN STUK]

VOORWOORD!

Beste Lezers

Daar is ze weer

Uw ”Wreker tegen het Onrecht”

Ook dit Jaar gaan we er weer vol tegenop!

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

En we beginnen met een Oude, maar Nare ”Bekende”,

Baas B, oftewel de Surinaamse ex-president D. Bouterse, die

vlak voor Kerstmis 2024 is overleden [1]

U weet wel, de ex coupist, legerbevelhebber en dictator, die

voor zijn presidentschap verantwoordelijk was voor foltering,

terreur en executies, waaronder de Decembermoorden, waarvoor

hij uiteindelijk ook is veroordeeld [2]

Ik zag zijn overlijden als een afsluiting van een van de meest nare 

periodes uit de recente Surinaamse geschiedenis ,ook al was er niet ECHT gerechtigheid 

geschied, omdat Bouterse na zijn veroordeling op de vlucht was geslagen

en het, althans voor het grote publiek en de journalistiek,

niet duidelijk was, waar hij zich bevond. [3]

Maar wie schetst mijn verbazing, dat vrijwel direct over Bouterse, van wie je

op zijn ”aardigst” kunt zeggen, dat hij zeer omstreden was [4], de Loftrompet

werd gezwaaid! 

Zo werd in het Surinaamse Parlement, de Nationale Assemblee, gesproken

over de ”idealen van Bouterse”, werd hij een ”grote zoon van het land” genoemd, een ”vastberaden leider” en ga zo maar door [5]

Ook werd door allerlei lieden zijn lof gezongen vanwege zijn vermeende

inzet voor het volk, hoewel er ook wel kritiek te horen was [6]

Maar uit alles bleek, hoe kort het geheugen der mensen is [7]

Herdenkingsbijeenkomsten werden zowel in Suriname als in

Nederland georganiseerd alsof het hier een tweede Martin Luther

King betrof! [8]

Ik raakte hierdoor zo getergd, dat ik besloot op te staan en de Bouta slachtoffers

te wreken [9] en niet alleen hen:

Maar ook alle Narigheid, die Bouterse over Suriname had gebracht door eerst

[en dat is waar] sociale hervormingen in te voeren, die weliswaar voor

verlichting zorgden [eerlijk is eerlijk], maar zo buitensporig om te gaan met

’s lands financien, dat het land dan nu-met dank aan Bouterse- bijna

bankroet is! 

Zie maar noot 10

En dat ”Wreken” heb ik gedaan door middel van een Ingezonden Stuk,

dat zowel naar Nederlandse als Surinaamse kranten is gestuurd

Zie onder noot 11 drie voorbeelden

Of de kranten en dan met name de Surinaamse, onder het nog steeds

voortdurende klimaat van intimidatie [12] ook de guts hebben, mijn

Ingezonden Stuk te publiceren, weet ik natuurlijk niet, maar in ieder

geval het Stuk met u gedeeld!

Zie direct onder P/S, onder het Notenapparaat

ASTRID ESSED

NOTEN

NOOT 1

NOOT 1/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 2

NOOT 2/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOTEN 3 EN 4

NOTEN 3 EN 4/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 5

NOOT 5/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOTEN 6 EN 7

NOTEN 6 EN 7/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 8

NOOT 8/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 9

NOOT 9/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 10

NOOT 10/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 11

NOOT 11/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

NOOT 12

NOOT 12/GEEN HEILIGENSTATUS VOOR SCHURK!

INGEZONDEN STUK

Geachte Redactie,

Kort voor Kerstmis overleed ex president Desi Bouterse op 79 jarige leeftijd.

En vrijwel direct na zijn overlijden kreeg hij door vogels van diverse pluimage,

een bijna ‘heiligenstatus” toebedeeld. 

Zo werd er in de Nationale Assemblee [het Surinaamse parlement], gesproken

over Bouterse als ”moedige leider”, ”grote zoon” en ”inspirerend”

Anderen weer zagen hem als ”volksheld”, de man, die sociale hervormingen

doorvoer en ”vocht” voor de armen.

Er werden herdenkingsbijeenkomsten georganiseerd, zowel in Suriname

als in Nederland en een niet onaanzienlijk aantal mensen liet hun tranen

de vrije loop, en memoreerde zijn sociale inzet.

Nu was het inderdaad zo, dat tijdens de regeerperiode

van Bouterse als president een aantal sociale verbeteringen is doorgevoerd,

die in een arm land als Suriname zeker verlichting boden, maar er werd

onverantwoordelijk met ’s lands financiele middelen omgesprongen, waardoor

Bouterse Suriname na twee regeerperioden praktisch bankroet achterliet.

Daarbij verrijkte hij zichzelf en zijn politieke vrienden enorm, waardoor hij

het Surinaamse volk schandalig heeft bestolen.

Dat zouden de mensen zich moeten realiseren, nog afgezien van de

ellende, die hij over duizenden jongeren heeft gebracht door de openstelling

van Suriname voor de drugshandel.

Maar er is meer:

Bouterse verscheen op Suriname’s politieke toneel als leider van de 

militaire coup op 25 februari 1980, waarmee hij het democratische staatsbestel

omverwierp.

Na een aanvankelijk vals-vriendelijk gezicht kwamen al snel kwalijke

mensenrechtenschendingen:

De dood, na een verdacht politieverhoor van would be tegencouppleger de Surinaamse ex KNIL militair Ormskirk [1980], arrestatie en opsluiting zonder vorm van proces van voormalige politieke leiders, de executie van de gewonde op een brancard liggende tegencouper sergeant majoor Hawker [maart 1982],

met als dieptepunt de standrechtelijke executie van 15 politieke tegenstanders

van het militaire regime Bouterse, de zgn Decembermoorden.

Niet uitvlakken wil ik hier het moedige verpleegstersprotest daags na de Decembermoorden

Ook overleed een voormalig medestander en rechterhand van Bouterse, 

majoor Horb onder verdachte omstandigheden in een politiecel [1983]

Bouterse c.s. vestigden een dictatuur, die zou voortduren tot de eerste verkiezingen in 1987.

In de met Brunswijk [leider Junglecommando] uitgevochten Binnenlandse Oorlog zijn in het marrondorp Moiwana onder verantwoordelijkheid van

Bouterse als legerbevelhebber meer dan 39 burgers gedood. Een massaslachting dus.

Na een aantal jaren richtte D. Bouterse zijn partij de NDP op, maakte

zich populair door mooie toespraken en enkele doorgevoerde sociale verbeteringen.

Laat niet onverlet, dat Bouterse en co zich schuldig hebben gemaakt aan

foltering, diefstal, executies en massamoord/Misdaden tegen de menselijkheid.

Vanwege de ”heiligverklaring” van Bouterse is dit Stuk geschreven.

Opdat zijn misdaden en het rampzalige stempel, dat hij op Suriname heeft

gedrukt, niet worden vergeten

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam