SURINAME-SOGI-TBs-CEDAW

Concluding Observations on Report 4-6 (2018) (Link)

4. The Committee welcomes the progress achieved since the consideration in 2007 of the State party’s third periodic report (CEDAW/C/SUR/3) in undertaking legislative reforms, in particular the adoption of the following:

(a) Laws amending the Penal Code by defining discrimination and including sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of discrimination; prohibiting and expanding the definition of trafficking; criminalizing marital rape, obstetric violence, and battery and assault leading to death (femicide); and, in 2015 and 2009, removing restrictions on access by adolescents to sexual information and contraceptives;

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Legislative framework and definition of discrimination

10. The Committee recognizes the diversity of cultures and ethnicities in the State party and its distinct indigenous and tribal populations. While noting the position of the State party that article 8 of its Constitution sufficiently guarantees the substantive equality of women and men, the Committee is concerned that neither the Constitution nor national legislation includes a definition of discrimination against women, in accordance with article 1 of the Convention, covering direct and indirect discrimination in both the public and private spheres and recognizing intersecting forms of discrimination. It also remains concerned that disadvantaged groups of women, including rural women, Maroon women and indigenous women, women with disabilities, lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons, continue to experience intersecting forms of discrimination and violations of their human rights. It further regrets the lack of political will on the part of policymakers to adopt, as a matter of priority, legal provisions to protect women’s rights, and notes that provisions such as the draft law on equal treatment of men and women and the draft labour law and provisions on the establishment of a complaints mechanism on gender- based discrimination have been pending since 2002.

11. The Committee recommends that the State party:

…(b) Amend article 8 (2) of the Constitution to recognize intersecting forms of discrimination against rural women, Maroon women and indigenous women, women with disabilities, lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons;

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Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons

50. The Committee notes that the Penal Code has been revised, inter alia, to include the protection of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons and to prohibit discrimination and hate speech against them. However, it is concerned that lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons continue to face discrimination and harassment, in particular with regard to their rights to education, employment and health.

51. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure equal rights and opportunities for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons, and raise awareness in order to eliminate discrimination and social stigma against them. It further recommends that the State party apply a policy of zero tolerance of discrimination and violence against lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons, including by prosecuting and adequately punishing perpetrators.

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Concluding Observations on Report 3 (2007) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 1-2 (2002) (Link)

[no mention]

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