(AJI/IFEX) – The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: In a letter to Semarang Police Department Chief Commissioner Halba M. Rubis, SEAPA-Jakarta condemned the attack on Ira Alia Maerani of the daily “Meteor” by accused murderers Heri Setyono and Dalmadi. The attack took […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
In a letter to Semarang Police Department Chief Commissioner Halba M. Rubis, SEAPA-Jakarta condemned the attack on Ira Alia Maerani of the daily “Meteor” by accused murderers Heri Setyono and Dalmadi. The attack took place at the District Court of Semarang, capital of Central Java province, on Wednesday 1 May 2001.
Maerani is a court reporter. On that day, she was covering the murder trial of Suriono featuring the two accused. As the judge knocked his gavel to end the day’s hearing, Maerani started photographing the suspects while they were leaving the room. One of the men, Heri Setyono, got angry and punched the journalist, who had already turned around, in the back and head. Maerani fell to the ground, her head hitting a court seat on the way down.
Further violence against the reporter was prevented by a Semarang lawyer, Irawan, who diverted the attacker away from Maerani. But the second accused, Dalmadi, turned his rage on the attorney. Soon Setyono joined his fellow accused in beating Irawan.
Defence Attorney Tommy Widhari later came to see Maerani at the “Meteor” office and demanded that the journalist not publish her story and photographs.
“If you print them, I could no longer guarantee your safety,” Maerani recalled the lawyer’s words.
Widhari did not mention a word about his clients assault.
Maerani has a lump on her back and is still in shock. Her helper Irawan dislocated his left arm and has bruises all over his body.
SEAPA is disheartened by the assault in Semarang – one of the cities where violence against the press is minimal. (SEAPA recorded only two cases there last year.) SEAPA notes that there is no regulation in Indonesia that prevents a journalist from taking photographs in a courtroom.
Since this is the first case of violence against journalists recorded in Semarang in 2001, SEAPA fears that it might set a bad precedent of violent responses to journalistic work in the Central Java capital.
SEAPA promised that, along with other world organisations concerned with press freedom, it will follow the case closely.
Appeals To
Send appeals to the chief commissioner of Semarang police:
– respectfully calling on the Semarang police to investigate further the assault and threats against Maerani and Irawan and to bring those responsible to justice
– noting that Article 40 of the Press Regulations states that whoever intentionally obstructs freedom of the press could face up to two years of prison or be fined up to Rp 500 million (approximately US$ 46 000)
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Semarang Police Department
Chief Commissioner Halba M. Rubis
Semarang, Central Java
Indonesia
Fax: +62 24 8311390
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
For further information, contact Lukas Luwarso or Solahudin at the SEAPA Jakarta office, Jl. Mesjid IV/19 Pejompongan, Jakarta 10210, Indonesia, tel/fax: +62 21 573 2341, e-mail: seapajak@cbn.net.id
or
the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI), Jl. LAN I no. 12 A, Pejompongan, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia, tel: +62 21 5711 044/056, fax: +62 21 5711 063, e-mail: ajioffice@aji-indonesia.or.id, Internet: http://www.ajinews.or.id
