Honorary Order of the Yellow Star


The Honorary Order of the Yellow Star is the highest state decoration of the Republic of Suriname. The Order was instituted in 1975 at the independence of Suriname and replaced the Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion. It is awarded to individuals for their meritorious service to the Surinamese people or nation. Foreigners are also eligible to receive the order. The president of Suriname is the Grand Master of the order.

Classes

The Honorary Order of the Yellow Star is issued in five classes, plus two medals:
  • Grand Cordon, who wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left side of the chest;
  • Grand Officer, who wears a badge on a necklet, plus a star on the left side of the chest;
  • Commander, who wears the badge on a necklet;
  • Officer, who wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left side of the chest;
  • Knight, who wears the badge on a ribbon on the left side of the chest.
  • Honorary Medals in Gold and Silver on a ribbon on the left chest
The president of Suriname as Grand Master wears the Grand Order Chain of the order. In addition, select foreign heads of state may be honoured with the Grand Order Chain.

Insignia

The Collar of the Order, formally the Grand Order Chain, is in gold, with alternating the "Sen" and gold stars as facets, connected with small chains. The whole chain rests on a folded Ribbon of the order that culminates in two bows. The bows are worn on the shoulders.
The Badge of the order exists of a gold gilt five-pointed star each topped with a small ball, and gold gilt rays between the arms, resulting in a badge with the shape of a pentagon. The central disk shows the yellow star of the flag and coat of arms of Suriname on white enamel, surrounded by a black enamel and gold edged ring displaying the motto in yellow : JUSTITIA - PIETAS - FIDES.
The Star of the Order is an eight-pointed gold gilt star with straight rays. The central disc is the same as that of the badge.
The Medal is round, with a gold and silver version. It shows the five-pointed star and a surrounding circlet with the motto of the order.
The Ribbon of the order is red with white stripes at the edges.

Controversy

After his inauguration in 2010, the Surinamese president Dési Bouterse immediately honoured all nine still living conspirators, who together with Bouterse were involved in the 1980 Surinamese coup d'état, with the Grand Cordon of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star. This led internationally to great controversy, since all nine are accused of involvement in the December murders in 1982, when thirteen civilians and two military officials were murdered because they opposed the military rule in Suriname.

Selected recipients