Suriname to formulate legislation for diplomats

Parliament on Tuesday started working on legislation for diplomats. After Suriname gained independence in 1975 the legal position of diplomats and other provisions were determined by internal rules that were adapted from time to time. MP Andre Misiekaba (NDP), chairman of the permanent commission on Foreign Affairs, made it clear that it could not go on like that and that the Foreign Service bill is necessary. “As of 1975 the entire service was managed via circular letters and internal regulations. Some circular letters are still intact while others aren’t. Whenever it was necessary the circular letters were adapted to the actual situation. You can understand why that is not the proper way. The new bill is aimed at improving this situation in a sustainable manner,” said MP Misiekaba on Tuesday.

MP Misiekaba is glad that the legislation also takes into account the career diplomats. He strongly believes that Suriname should put the right people on foreign posts so that the diplomatic relations can yield positive results.

Foreign Affairs (BUZA) Minister Yldiz PollackBeighle who agrees with MP Misiekaba pointed out that for many years there was an unbalanced growth of political posts and that there were not enough capable people at BUZA. The new law will be aimed at providing protection against that. “Unfortunately this service was often used to deploy people who did not have the necessary skills or schooling. We must correct that and I think that we have reached the moment where we will give the first push in the right direction,” said Minister Yldiz PollackBeighle as she referred to Suriname’s diplomatic corps. “Things happened at the expense of the quality and potential scope to develop one’s talents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.