Brazilian Workers Flee Suriname Town After
Violence
BRASILIA - More
than 100 Brazilians have fled the Suriname
gold mining town of Albina since rioting and
attacks riots by local Maroons against
foreign migrant workers erupted in late
December, local media reported on Friday.
In the riot, triggered by an alleged
stabbing incident involving a Brazilian and
a Maroon, a descendant of former African
slaves in Albina, some 150 km east of the
capital Paramaribo, 25 people were injured
and 17 women sexually assaulted, media
reports said.
But among those Brazilian migrant workers
who have fled, fewer than 40 said they would
choose to return to their home country.
While some political sources now doubt the
possibility of Brazilian migrants living in
harmony with Maroons after the violence, the
Brazilian ambassador was more upbeat.
"In other regions of Suriname, the
coexistence is peaceful and without threats.
It is necessary to understand the complexity
of this country," Jose Luiz Machado e Costa
said.
"The Brazilians who have come to Suriname
have well defined objectives. In general,
they work hard in mining and are thrifty.
Only after this they are returning to
Brazil," ambassador said.
On Dec. 24, about 200 foreigners, including
Brazilians, were attacked by Surinamese
Maroons in Albina.
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