The Caribbean Community Secretariat learnt with shock about the sudden death on Saturday, 19 May 2001 in Paramaribo, Suriname of the prominent Suriname trade union and political leader, Mr. Fred Derby, at the age of 62.

Mr. Fred Derby was a well-known and respected figure in Suriname for over thirty years.  During this period he played an important role in the trade union movement and on the Surinamese political scene.

Leader of C-47, one of the main trade unions in Suriname, and also the Political Leader of the Suriname Labour Party, Mr. Derby was regarded as one of the architects of Suriname's independence in 1975. His party is part of the current coalition Government and Mr. Fred Derby was one of the political leaders of this New Front Coalition, a composition of the four main political parties in Suriname.

Mr. Derby became a Member of the National Assembly of Suriname in 1991 and since then he has been one of the most active members of this body. He not only contributed to national development, but was also very active in the region and at the international level, having represented the Surinamese trade union movement at several regional and international conferences. He also represented the region in sub-regional branches of certain international trade union organisations, and was also the President of the International Metal Federation.

Mr. Derby also advocated the participation of the National Assembly of Suriname in the Association of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians.

With his passing, Suriname and the Caribbean Community have lost a prominent son.

The CARICOM Secretariat pays tribute to the work done by Mr. Fred Derby in service to his country and the Caribbean Region, and offers sincere condolences to his family, the Government and the National Assembly and the people of the Republic of Suriname at this sad loss.