PARAMARIBO - President Jennifer Simons strongly condemned the activities that are being carried out by the Mennonites in the hinterland of Suriname.

She explained that there are indications that this community is residing illegally in Suriname and that it is also involved in activities that have not been sanctioned by the government. If it were up to the head of state the Mennonites would exit Suriname sooner rather than later. “If it were up to me, they would be on the next flight out of the country because they will serve as an example for thousands of others who want to come here. They must realize that it is not a free for all here”, said President Simons. It was the first time that the president has strongly disapproved of the presence of the sectarian community that has settled down in Suriname. “I am working on getting those people in a plane, if they are here illegally. I am prepared to cover the expenses. I will send them back to the country that they came from so that others can see that they must not come here. Because we will not allow that”, said President Simons. The people whom the head of state referred to have already been served with a written, nothing them to leave the area. A special team has been tasked with making a list of all of the violations of the Mennonites and the locations where the violations took place. Reports suggest that most of the activities were not carried out in accordance with the rules. President Simons made it clear that Suriname does not want to give groups the opportunity to settle down in remote areas and to cut down forests so that they can establish communities there. “If people want to come and if they want to focus on plant crops in the coastal area, they can be my guest. But we will not allow you to go to the hinterland and to cut down forests to establish a community there. My country is complicated enough as it is”, said President Simons.