**Updates IFEX CH alert of 16 June. For background on arrests, see IFEX alerts dated 15 June and 28 March 1995** On 24 August 1995, the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, an office assistant for the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), to 20 months in prison for helping distribute the AJI magazine, […]
**Updates IFEX CH alert of 16 June. For background on arrests,
see IFEX alerts dated 15 June and 28 March 1995**
On 24 August 1995, the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced
Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, an office assistant for the Alliance of
Independent Journalists (AJI), to 20 months in prison for helping
distribute the AJI magazine, “Independen.” Along with AJI
president Ahmad Taufik and AJI member Eko Maryadi, the
nineteen-year-old Wardoyo was charged with violating Article 19
of the Indonesian Press Law, which prohibits the publication of
an unlicensed newspaper or magazine, and Article 154 of the
Indonesian Criminal Code, which bars the expression of “feelings
of hostility, hatred or contempt toward the government.” All
three were arrested on 16 March, and their separate trials began
exactly three months later. The verdicts in Taufik’s and
Maryadi’s cases are expected within the next one and a half
weeks, according to AJI sources. While prosecutors in Wardoyo’s
case had sought a two-year sentence, both Taufik and Maryadi face
up to seven years in prison under Article 154. The Jakarta-based
Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (LBH), which is representing
Wardoyo, has said it will appeal the verdict.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Indonesian authorities:
the prospective sentencing of Taufik and Maryadi
dropped and the sentences overturned
expression in the country
organization, and that its right to freely defend the
independence and rights of Indonesian journalists be guaranteed
Appeals To
His Excellency Ismail Saleh
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav. 4-5
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
His Excellency General Soeharto
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 17
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 374 392
His Excellency Harmoko
Minister of Information
Jalan Medan Merdeka
Barat No. 9
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Copy appeals to:
Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI)
RSTA Blok 39 Lt. II No. 4 Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur 25-A
Jakarta 10240, Indonesia
Tel/Fax: +62 21 315 5918
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
