(IPI/IFEX) – IPI has expressed its concern for the safety of journalists reporting on events in East Timor. In the latest violence, pro-Indonesian militiamen armed with automatic weapons and machetes attacked a neighbourhood in Dili on Wednesday, 1 September 1999, sending hundreds of residents – along with three dozen foreign journalists – scrambling for safety […]
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI has expressed its concern for the safety of journalists
reporting on events in East Timor.
In the latest violence, pro-Indonesian militiamen armed with automatic
weapons and machetes attacked a neighbourhood in Dili on Wednesday, 1
September 1999, sending hundreds of residents – along with three dozen
foreign journalists – scrambling for safety over the walls of the nearby
United Nations (UN) compound. IPI was informed that BBC correspondent
Jonathan Head was beaten by the militiamen and was lucky to escape with his
life after witnessing the killing of a Timorese man, who was hacked to death
with machetes by militiamen.
IPI was also informed that an Australian reporter was threatened with a
rifle, while a correspondent for “The Washington Post” was hit on the back
with the blunt side of a machete before being able to climb over the UN wall
to safety.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
the Indonesian police to contain militia violence in East Timor
members of an IPI delegation that he would use his influence and authority
to ensure the protection of journalists from violence and intimidation
responsible for this latest incident are brought to justice and that foreign
and local journalists working in East Timor are allowed to exercise their
profession without fear of harassment
Appeals To
H.E. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No.17
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 778 182
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
