A monument has been unveiled in the Surinamese capital Paramaribo for the victims of the 'December murders' of 1982. The murders have also been commemorated in Amsterdam, where there is a large Surinamese community.

Twenty-seven years ago on 8 and 9 December, 15 prominent government opponents were killed by the governing military regime, led at the time by Desi Bouterse.

The current president of Surinam, Ronald Venetiaan, unveiled the monument with the names of the victims at Fort Zeelandia, where the murders took place. It was the first time a commemoration had been held at this location.

In Amsterdam, a torch-lit march was held in city's Buitenveldert district. Flowers were laid at a monument in the wall of the Mozes and Aäron church in the centre of the city. A service was held at that church for relatives, politicians and well-wishers.

Surinam became independent of the Netherlands in 1975, as a democratic republic. Military man Desi Bouterse came to power via a coup in 1980; his dictatorship lasted until 1989.