which is located between the Paaba Creek and the Muyangwojo Creek. They complained that the concession that was allocated to a third party is located in the village of Goejaba. The Saamaka communities made it clear that the concession was allocated without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and that it was therefore in violation of international treaties, the Saamaka verdict and the Surinamese constitution.

They also made it clear that the mining activities pose an immediate threat to their way of life, their source of income, their health, their culture, their spiritual values and their collective land rights. The villagers demand that the mining activities be stopped immediately but they also want full transparency and formal consultations between their tribal leaders and the Surinamese government. The Saamaka communities pointed out that they stand united against these violations and they call on national and international human rights organizations to support them in the peaceful fight aimed at protecting their land, waters and future. The petition was drawn up at an emergency meeting of the Saamaka villages located at Goejaba. The chief of the village of Dawme, Stephanus Poeketi, presented the petition which was read aloud by Merougia Jabini before being handed over to the acting clerk of the court, Agatha Ramdas, in the presence of MP Ebu Jones.