(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 1 September 2000 letter to the national police chief, General (Police) Roesdiharjo, by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta Office, of which AJI is a member: September 1, 2000 His Excellency General (Police) Roesdiharjo National Police Chief Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia Via Fax: 62 21 […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 1 September 2000 letter to the national police chief, General (Police) Roesdiharjo, by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta Office, of which AJI is a member:
September 1, 2000
His Excellency General (Police) Roesdiharjo
National Police Chief
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Via Fax: 62 21 7207277
Your Excellency,
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta Office is deeply disturbed by the violent acts recently committed against radio DMWS FM journalist Max Arthur, who was attacked by a gang of pro-Jakarta militias in Kupang, West Timor.
On August 30, 2000, East Timor refugees and pro-integration militias turned against Arthur after a militia member called him a “spy” out loud at a rally in front of the Kupang Province Parliament office.
Arthur tried to flee for safety as a group of protesters ran after him. But the mob caught up and brutally punched and kicked him, also taking away his Marantz tape recorder and microphone.
More than 2,000 refugees were protesting as East Timor celebrated its first Independence Day. They condemned former Indonesian president BJ Habibie for allowing the United Nations to organise a referendum in East Timor.
Max Arthur suffered serious bruises all over his face, arms and ribs from the attack. At the moment, his lips are deeply cut and he still cannot move his jaws properly.
As an organisation of journalists dedicated to the protection of our colleagues and the promotion of press freedom, we condemn this attack in the strongest possible sense, because the incident points to a deterioration of the state of press freedom in Indonesia. We are sure you will agree that journalists should be able to carry out their professional duties without fear of harassment and attack. Such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and could promote self-censorship.
We respectfully call on you to ensure that an investigation is conducted and that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. We also ask you to guarantee the safety of the journalist. SEAPA, together with other media advocacy groups worldwide, has closely monitored this case with great concern and looks forward to your prompt response.
Respectfully yours,
Lukas Luwarso
Director
Solahudin
Advocacy Coordinator
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:His Excellency General (Police) Roesdiharjo
National Police Chief
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Fax: 62 21 7207277Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
