Suriname signed the Ottawa Convention December 4, 1997, ratified it January 29, 2002 and the Convention entered into force November 23, 2002. To effectively implement the Convention, the Minister of Defense installed an inter-departmental commission in March of 2003. This commission is responsible for:

1. Creating short-term conditions for implementation of the Convention.
2. Making recommendations for a total ban of anti-personnel mines in accordance with objectives of the Convention.
3. Preparing national documents such as national legislation and national reports as stipulated in article 7.

Suriname does not produce anti-personnel mines. It has one mined area located approximately 30 miles (50km) from the capital of Paramaribo in the Marowijne district at Stolkertsijver. The mined surface area is approximately 75m by 30m or 22,150sq m. This area contains 13 mines. With regards to clearance, the commission has sought technical and financial assistance from external resources such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States. As soon as this assistance is made available, the commission will comprise a plan to clear the mined area.

With regard to objectives and goals planned for 2004, the Commission has set the following goals:

1. By the end of this month, a new demarcation will be placed at the mined area with clear warning signs in compliance with international requirements and barbed wire.
2. The Commission will prepare the first national report in accordance with article 7 of the Convention to be submitted before the fifth meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention.
3. In accordance with the convention, the Commission is now preparing draft legislation on appropriate legal, administrative and other measures to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited to a State Party under the Convention.

The community of Suriname is regularly updated about the work of the Commission through regular press releases.