Suriname
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Summary
Non-signatory Suriname has expressed interest in the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but has not taken any steps to join it. Suriname voted in favor of a key United Nations (UN) resolution promoting the convention in December 2021. It last participated in a meeting of the convention in 2013.
Suriname has stated that it has not used, produced, or stockpiled cluster munitions.
Policy
The Republic of Suriname has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Suriname has acknowledged the humanitarian concerns raised by cluster munitions and expressed interest in the convention, but has not taken any steps to join it.[1] In 2013, the governing executive body received a report recommending Suriname join the convention, but did not progress towards accession.[2]
Suriname attended one meeting of the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in Vienna, Austria in December 2007. It did not participate in the Dublin negotiations or the Oslo Signing Conference in December 2008. Suriname attended a regional conference on cluster munitions held in Santiago, Chile in September 2009.
Suriname last participated as an observer in meetings of the convention in 2013.[3] Suriname was invited to, but did not attend, the convention’s Second Review Conference held in November 2020 and September 2021.
In December 2021, Suriname voted in favor of a key United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution urging states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[4] It has voted in favor of the annual UNGA resolution promoting the convention since it was first introduced in 2015.
Suriname has voted for UNGA resolutions expressing outrage at use of cluster munitions in Syria.[5]
Suriname is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling
Suriname stated in 2013 that it has never produced, used, or stockpiled cluster munitions.[6]
[1] In 2012, Suriname stated that officials from the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs often meet to discuss the matter of joining the convention. Statement of Suriname, Convention on Cluster Munitions Third Meeting of States Parties, Oslo, 12 September 2012.
[2] In 2013, Suriname said its executive board of ministers was reviewing a package on the convention with an explanatory memorandum recommending approval. Statement of Suriname, Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings, Geneva, 16 April 2013.
[3] Suriname participated as an observer at the convention’s Meetings of States Parties in 2011–2012, as well as at intersessional meetings in 2013.
[4] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 76/47, 6 December 2021.
[5] “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic,” UNGA Resolution 75/193, 16 December 2020.
[6] Statement of Suriname, Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings, Geneva, 16 April 2013.