Our young organisation has received many questions on the topic of TOOKA MOOVE, especially relating to the issue of the Maroon land right. .
For your convenience we have published some of the frequent ask questions, our answer to them are here on our website.
A: The difference here is that we are an organisation that is serious active, and has implement help for Suriname nature and native people without support from any association. Now that we have become involved in cases, which need more financial initiative and logistic support, we do not want to wait till it is to late and hence focus right on action to help people in need. Because of our experience and certainty of knowing Suriname and its people, we know where the money will go. We are not only concerned about the Maroons fate but also appreciate and love the beauty of a functional Surinam rainforest.
As a matter of fact, Surinam is only represented by a small number of organisation and most of them do not register the tribe of the Maroons as being in need of help. Further more, does the damage that occurs to the Suriname rainforest, not enter into public debate in Europe. An insignificant number of many people are aware that Suriname needs to be watched over on the issue of human rights.
Ask your self this question, as “how many times have you heard or seen anything about Suriname? What did you see or hear in the News, in Documentaries and there like? Have a look and see how many support projects you will find relating to Suriname or the Maroons, for example under www.spendenspiegel.ch. Clearly this shows that our organisation is the most effective way to work for the Suriname people and nature.
Q: What will happen if the 20.000-euro cannot be raised till the 20 of April?
A: Our partner organisation in Suriname is making additional efforts to get support money from organisations to cover Travel and Hotel expenses. Nevertheless we had to reduce the number of Maroon participants, who are actually needed in this difficult case, from eight to five members.
Q: Will I receive information, if and how my donation has contributed to this project?
A: On our website we will constant update our web pages and hence inform you about development and success, as well as the outcome of the court case in Costa Rica. However we are asking everyone to be patient about news from Suriname in the same manner as we exercise patience. News from Suriname is hard to get by and the technology to serve our fast pace electronic age is not as far advanced as some might expect.
Q: Who will travel to Costa Rica as representatives of the Maroon tribe?
A: At present (11. April 2007) not all names are yet known as to who goes to Costa Rica for the hearing. Fergus Mackey will be there as the Maroons Lawyer (Forest People Program). Hugo Jabini as the founder of the TOOKA MOVE Foundation Suriname will be there, working as a driving force behind the petition. In his person he will be active as a translator and as the representative member of the Maroon people, Mr. Jabini himself has his roots in the Maroon population.
Q: When will the court hearing be held in Costa Rica?
A: The Public Hearing at the international Human rights court (IACHR) in San Josè, Costa Rica has been confirmed for the 9. /10. and 11. May 2007.
Q: What will happen to the money that has been paid for the Costa Rica
Court hearing but was not used for the travel to get there?
A: There are multiple projects, which will be taken care of after the court Case in Costa Rica has been decided. Projects relating to education, taking care of waste removals and establish a sound ecotourism is high on our assignment list. Of great interest for the TOOKA MOVE, is to work together and build up relationships with organisations that are working in similar fields. We constant looking for new members, people who want to join our organisation. Moreover, we urgently want to make contact with new organisations that have expertise in fundraising and charity events. To get these issues resoled a need to produce Information material is most urgent too. As one can see the just listed concerns are important steps to achieve our main goals. To get TOOKA MOVE established as a successful entity however, emphasis and importance must be placed on a sound financial foundation.
As soon as those projects take shape we will advertise and promote them on our web site.
Q: If the Maroons do not win the case at Costa Rica, what will happen?
A: The chances are very good that case 12.338 will be decided in the favour of the Maroons; in an initial step to the case the court has accepted that a human right offence against Maroon people has occurred by the state of Suriname. If the case in this first hearing is lost for the maroon people, then a new initiative has to be taken, which means new meetings and debates in suitable venues.
Regardless if the case will be won or lost, live goes on for the Maroon people. Their initiative will always be to stand up for their natural rights and they will demand continuously work to improvement their environment. To keep these requests circulating as a serious debate the Maroons need our assistance in order to make wrongs right. We will in due time place developments, projects issue relating to Suriname on our web site.
Q: I read somewhere that there are in Suriname approximately 70 000 Maroons,
why are you writing only of 20 000? ?
A: It is true, 70 000 people making up the tribes of the Maroons in all of Suriname. We have however a strong connection to the `Saramacca Maroons`, which are roughly 20 000 people. As a first step we have concentrated our initiative on the` Saramacca Maroons ` because it was their claim, which serves as a precedent case, and hence is very important for future ruling. Nevertheless, your charity and help will extend to all Maroons of Suriname.
Translation Dr. Martin Heine 07.05.2007
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