SURINAME: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000230 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DRL/MLGA KMCGEENY, WHA/CAR FOR SWHALEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UN NS SUBJECT: SURINAME: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE REF: SECSTATE 70129 ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, PolEconPDOff asked Tom Kartoebi, Head of the Americas Division at Suriname's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to share mechanisms aimed at preventing torture and protecting victims. Kartoebi verbally supported the iniatitive, but requested a diplomatic note be sent to Chantal Elsenhout, Head of the International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that they could formally respond from a governmental perspective. Post sent this diplomatic note on July 22nd and, despite follow-up requests, has been unable to solicit any response from the Government of Suriname (GOS). ¶2. (SBU) PolEconPDOff also reviewed with Tom Kartoebi the President's "Statement on United Nations International Day in Support of Torture Victims" using the White House's press release on the subject. Mr. Kartoebi indicated that he was pleased to "know exactly what the position of the United States is on the topic." ¶3. (SBU) In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Post also attempted to engage the Ministry of Justice and Police. Embassy contact at the Ministry of Justice and Police indicated that while the GOS has already formulated several "policy-articles" on torture, the Ministry has to secure approval from its Minister prior to providing any response. Post has been unable to collect this information despite repeated requests and had hoped to glean any insights on non-governmental mechanisms to prevent torture through this channel. ¶4. (SBU) Post will report in a separate cable any additional information received from the GOS on the matter. ¶5. COMMENT. Post is unaware of any non-governmental mechanisms to prevent torture and expects that any such mechanisms, should they exist, will be limited in scope. END COMMENT. BELL