DC Nerkust: “NDP will be given a permit for rally”
“If the NDP applies for a permit to rally on the public road on January 22 because of the session of the Military Court, I will issue the permit as long as the party meets all the requirements and sticks to the rules,” District Commissioner Mike Nerkust told Times of Suriname.
The DC explained that there is nothing wrong if the National Democratic Party (NDP) wants to organize such an activity because of the military Court’s session. “What’s the problem when the party decides to escort its chairman to the Military Court? The Military Court is there and does its thing while the party is outside and does its own thing. The activity of the party has nothing to do with what is happening inside the building at the Military Court so I do not see why the thing that the NDP wants to do outside should be a problem. The only thing that is important is for the party to have a permit, to meet all the requirements, to not disturb the peace on the public road, to comply with traffic rules and to make sure that everything happens in an orderly fashion,” said the DC who added that so far the NDP is one of the few parties that always makes sure to have a permit when it decided to organize such an activity. “There are others who do not do that and who become angry when the DC takes action. But is important to have a permit for various reasons and it also suits a party to apply for a permit,” said DC
Nerkust who added that one must not forget that the police and fire department must also get involved and explain what the people must do when they want to organize a public activity.
DC Nerkust pointed out that he always cooperates by issuing permits to groups that want to organize a protest. The request for a permit is approved when people meet all the requirements and it does not matter who has requested the permit. A permit must officially be requested at least three weeks in advance but sometimes it can also be requested one week prior to the day when a group or party wants to organize the demonstration.