The Government of Suriname is obliged by the Inter-American Court on Human Rights to legally recognize traditional land rights to Indigenous and Tribal people of Suriname.

In 2007, the Saamaka won a victory before the IACHR guaranteeing territorial rights not just for the Saamaka, but for all Indigenous and tribal people of Suriname. Also, International jurisprudence has been changed so that free, prior and informed consent is required for major development project throughout the Americas.

For the first time the court ruled that a non- indigenous community like the Saamaka are considered tribal community protected by international law and as such they are entitled to the State’s recognition of their collective de facto rights over land and resources.