Native Amerindians held a protest in Suriname this past Saturday to express their discontent and bring attention to poor treatment they allege to suffer at the hands of the local government and other parts of the society.
The protesters claimed to be facing marginalisation, deprivation, and a lack of respect and recognition of their due rights.
Media Outlet Cananews reports that tensions have been high after, a few weeks ago, two indigenous men were killed by police. This after a group of men set fire to logging trucks and a police station in Pikon Saron, Southwest of the capital.
The protest, which has been described in various forums as a silent demonstration, brought hundreds of the indigenous people to the street.
Reports from regional press say that representatives of various tribes who still reside in the hinterlands were present at the activity.
Saturday’s protest is said to be one of a series of actions which the indigenous people intend to pursue over the next few weeks.
Spokeswoman for the Native Power Group Sharmaine Artist told reporters that her team plans to write to various organisations including the Organisation of American States about the poor treatment of the indigenous people in Suriname.