(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a letter by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: Jakarta, February 27, 2003 Police General Inspector Dadang Garnida West Java Police Department Tel: +62 22 7830835 / 783036 / 7830837 Fax: +62 22 7813131 Chief Commissioner Hendra Sukmana Bandung Police Headquarters Tel: +62 22 […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a letter by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
Jakarta, February 27, 2003
Police General Inspector Dadang Garnida
West Java Police Department
Tel: +62 22 7830835 / 783036 / 7830837
Fax: +62 22 7813131
Chief Commissioner Hendra Sukmana
Bandung Police Headquarters
Tel: +62 22 4203501
Fax: +62 22 4234558
Your Excellencies,
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta condemns the brutal actions by Bandung Police officers on one photographer and four TV journalists in Bandung, West Java, on February 26, 2003. The officers assaulted, destroyed and confiscated the journalists’ cameras in front of the West Java Parliament House that afternoon.
The journalists were covering a clash between university students and Bandung Police. The students were protesting against Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, demanding her resignation. While Pikiran Rakyat photographer Dudi Sugandi was taking snapshots of police officers fighting the students, one officer suddenly yelled, “Don’t take photographs.” Other officers then grabbed the photographer’s Nikon F-4 camera and pulled him towards a group of officers, who took turns punching him. Dudi Sugandi was beaten up and later taken to Boromeus Hospital in Bandung.
In a separate location, TPI cameraman Rudi Setiawan had his camera damaged from a police water canon. “The officers intentionally directed their water cannon towards us,” said Setiawan. “They didn’t want their repressive actions captured on camera.”
The three other TV journalists who fell victim were Trans TV reporter Wawan Kurniawan, TV7 reporter Kumoro Hadi, and Amin of Indosiar.
As an organisation dedicated to the protection of journalists and the promotion of press freedom, SEAPA Jakarta once again reminds the Indonesian Police Force (POLRI) of its disgraceful actions, which discredit press freedom in Indonesia. Such conduct prevents journalists from working professionally and free from violence.
SEAPA demands that the West Java Police Department and Bandung City Police take action against the officers responsible for these incidents. As a law enforcement institution, police must respect the journalistic work of press workers. Journalists these days bear the tremendous risk of being caught up in violence, however, this does not imply that police can arbitrarily assault journalists, especially after they produce identification. SEAPA, along with other media advocacy organisations worldwide, will monitor developments in this case. We await your immediate response.
Yours Respectfully,
Lukas Luwarso
Country Director
Solahudin
Advocacy Coordinator
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:Police General Inspector Dadang Garnida
West Java Police Department
Tel: +62 22 7830835 / 783036 / 7830837
Fax: +62 22 7813131Chief Commissioner Hendra Sukmana
Bandung Police Headquarters
Tel: +62 22 4203501
Fax: +62 22 4234558Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
