Summary on the incidents on 24 December 2009 in Papatam, Albina.

On 24 December 2009, around 2100hrs, various incidents occurred in Papatam, an area adjacent to Albina, in the eastern part of Suriname, located at the Marowijne river. According to reports, a Suriname national was stabbed by a Brazilian national and this incident originated a revolt from the local population against the Brazilian nationals living in the area. This revolt led to fights, arson, looting, theft and rape.

The Suriname authorities took immediate action, by controlling the situation, putting out the fires with the assistance from the French fire department in St. Laurent, and by reinforcing the police and military detachments in Albina.

The victims and other Brazilian nationals were transported to Paramaribo, where they received food and shelter; other wounded victims were taken to hospitals in Paramaribo and St. Laurent in French Guyana.

A Coordination Team, consisting of representatives of various disciplines of the Government, such as Justice and Police, Defense, Regional Development, the National Disaster Coordination Team, the Fire Department and Foreign Affairs, was mounted in Paramaribo to oversee and coordinate the evacuation and relief efforts.

The Brazilian and French embassies were immediately informed about the occurrences. According to the available official information, the only fatality was one Surinamese national that was stabbed and killed and that various Brazilian nationals were wounded, but that all of them are in a good physical condition.

The Suriname authorities have full control of the situation; high-ranking authorities have already been to the area and the Ambassador of Brazil had the opportunity to personally witness the scene and to have talks with the local authorities, as well with Brazilian nationals, including those who were taken to St. Laurent and had been released by the hospital after having received medical treatment.

The Embassy of Brazil has reinforced its diplomatic staff to deal with the aftermath of the incident and the French authorities have indicated their willingness to provide assistance to the Surinamese authorities.

The Government of Suriname reiterates its commitment to guarantee the safety of Surinamese as well as foreign nationals living in Suriname and highly values the intentions and willingness of Brazil and France to assist the Republic of Suriname in normalizing the situation.

28 December 2009

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Suriname