Human Rights in Suriname

A military coup in Suriname in December 1990 reversed the trend toward elected government in South America. Despite this and ongoing civil strife, the government scheduled elections in May 1991. Human Rights in Suriname investigates current abuses in the context of the election campaign as well as ongoing abuses including executions, committed by the military and military-allied armed bands. It also examines the military's dominance of the government even during the three years of civilian rule that preceded the coup, and analyzes the prospect for the new government to exert civilian control over the army.