SURINAME

Suriname is the smallest South American country. It was a former colony of the Netherlands. It is located to the north of Belize and to the west of Guyana.

FACTS

MOTTO - “Justice – Piety – Loyalty”

DATE OF INDEPENDENCE: November 25, 1975

POPULATION: 442,000

CAPITAL: Paramaribo

SIZE / AREA: 63,037 Square Miles

MAJOR LANGUAGES: Dutch (Official), English, Sranang Tongo ( Taki-Taki), Hindi, Javanese

MAJOR RELIGIONS: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity

ETHNIC GROUPS: Hindustani (East Indian) 27%, Creole 18%, Javanese 15%, Maroon 15%, Mixed 12.5%, Amerindians 3.7%, Chinese 1.8% (percentages from 2004 census).

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: $2.898 Billion

MONETARY UNIT: Surinam Dollar

MAIN EXPORTS: Bauxite, Alumina, Crude Oil, Gold, Timber, Sugar

PRESIDENT: Ronald Venetiaan

MEMBER STATES

The mini survey conducted recently amoung my friends and family, made me realize that many of us knew and cared more about "the motherland" than our Caribbean neighbours.

Hence this week I will post some information about the various islands of the Caribbean and in particular those who have signed the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice on the 14th day of February, 2001.

MEMBER STATES


1.Antigua and Barbuda
2.Barbados
3.Belize
4.Dominica
5.Grenada
6.Guyana
7.Haiti
8.Jamaica
9. Montserrat
10. St Kitts & Nevis
11.St Lucia
12.St Vincent & the Grenadines
13. Suriname
14.Trinidad & Tobago

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONNAIRE

As you know, I am currently undertaking a research on the Caribbean Court of Justice .

I am therefore seeking your kind assistance with this process.

Please share the information with your family and friends, so that they too can join in the discussion.

Kindly answer the following questions and submit your response to: deidrepowell@btinternet.com or you may just click on the COMMENTS section below and place your answers.

THANKS MUCH FOR YOUR KIND PARTICIPATION!


NAME: ( optional)

PARISH/ CITY:

COUNTRY:
…………………………………………………………………………

1. Do you support the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)?
a. Yes b. No. c. It doesn’t matter to me.
d. I have never heard of the CCJ

2. If your answer is “It doesn’t matter to me”, why do you say that?


3. If yes, what is your main reason ( chose 1)
a. Symbol of true independence
b. Death penalty issue (Pro - death penalty)
c. Concern for regional integration
d. Development of Caribbean jurisprudence (law)
e. The high cost of Appeals to the Privy Council
f. The judges of the Privy Council do not understand our culture
g. Other ( please state)

4. If no, what is your main reason (chose 1)
a. The cost of establishment and maintenance of the Court is too much.
b. The judges of the Privy Council would render better decisions.
c. The judges in the Caribbean would be biased and could be bribed.
d. The politicians would unduly influence the decisions of the court.
e. Against the death penalty
f. Other ( please state)

5 . Have you ever heard of the “CSME” ?
a. Yes b. No

6. If you have heard of the “ CSME” what does it mean?

7. What effect do you think the CCJ will have on trade in the region ?
a. Increased trade between the islands
b. Increased foreign investment to the region
c. Decreased trade between the islands
d. Decreased trade investments to the region
e. No effect

GENERAL COMMENTS



You may email your answers or cut and paste in the comments section below.

Please remember forward this link to your friends and family.

Thanks much for your co-operation.

DEIDRE S. POWELL