Access more information about the 1982 "December Murders" case in the "Reparation Cases" section of our database by clicking here.

The Nuhanovic Foundation supported families of the victims of the “December Murders” committed  on 7th and 8th December 1982 in Surinam capital Paramaribo. On these days, 15 journalists, union leaders and lawyers were brutally tortured and killed by military officiers in Fort Zeelandia in Paramaribo. Relatives brought the case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights with the aim  to put pressure on the prosecutor in Surinam to continue the criminal proceedings against Desi Bouterse - president from 2010 to 2020 - and 24 co-accused for their involvement in the killings. In 2019 the Surinamese court-martial sentenced Bouterse in absentia to twenty years in prison for his role in the December murders. Bouterse challenged his conviction and remained at liberty in anticipation of the appeal hearing. On 30 August 2021, the court-martial upheld the 2019 prison sentence but did not order Bouterse’s arrest and detention. Bouterse announced to file an appeal to the Court of Justice, Suriname’s highest court, with a final ruling expected in the course of 2023.

Provided below is a timeline of the 1982 "December Murders" case against Suriname's President Desi Bouterse. Click here to view a PDF version of the timeline with clickable links.