(AJI/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Defense General Wiranto, AJI has expressed its concern over the violence perpetrated by pro-autonomy militias against journalists covering the campaign leading up to the direct ballot and the ballot itself, which has restricted journalists’ ability to gather information. According to AJI, militias have not only restricted journalists’ […]
(AJI/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Defense General Wiranto, AJI has
expressed its concern over the violence perpetrated by pro-autonomy militias
against journalists covering the campaign leading up to the direct ballot
and the ballot itself, which has restricted journalists’ ability to gather
information. According to AJI, militias have not only restricted
journalists’ freedom of movement, but have also threatened and intimidated
them.
**New cases and update to IFEX alerts of 27 August, 26 August and 25 August
1999**
On 15 August 1999, “Kompas” photographer Eddy Hasbi was threatened by two
men who identified themselves as Supri from the Intelligence Agency Unit
(SGI) and Domingos Martins. They accused Hasbi of having assisted
pro-independence groups and told him to present himself to the local police
station.
On 25 August, John Stanmeyer, a journalist with “Time” magazine, and his
assistant Heriyanto were attacked by members of the Aitarak militia led by
Eurico Guterres while they were taking photographs of armed militia members.
The angry militia members tried to snatch their equipment and also attacked
the two journalists with knives, as a result of which Heriyanto was
seriously injured.
On 26 August, during a fight between militia and pro-independence
supporters, militia threatened with guns five journalists: Rien Kuntari
(“Kompas”), Hasbi (“Kompas” photographer), Mindo (Radio Netherlands), Decky
(RCTI), and Albert Kuhon (SCTV). The threat was witnessed by police officers
who took no action against the militias for carrying weapons. The militias
are free to terrorize, beat and shoot journalists carrying out their
professional activities. As a result of this kind of violence, two
journalists, Kornelis Ama of “Kompas” and Bea Wiharta, a Reuters
photographer, were both shot in the leg. In addition to these shooting
incidents, the militia also set on fire a motorbike belonging to a “Kompas”
journalist and destroyed a Kijang car owned by a “Jakarta Post” journalist.
This kind of terror, intimidation and threats continue to occur to date.
On 28 August, in Becora village, several youth threatened to stab “Kompas”
journalist Rien Kuntari. The youth asked Rien, “Are you one of those
Indonesian journalists who writes false news? Watch out, if you do so, we
will kill you. Tomorrow we are going to buy all the Indonesian newspapers
and magazines, and we’ll see if Indonesian journalists have started to write
the truth yet. If not, we will kill all Indonesian journalists.” Threats of
this kind continue to be made, not only behind closed doors, but everywhere.
The U.S., Australian, Japanese and other governments have expressed concern
about the fate of journalists reporting in East Timor. They have even made
preparations to evacuate them if the situation deteriorates to the extent
that they can no longer stay in East Timor.
Until now, journalists are only able to move around in Dili, and are still
unable to report outside of Dili because of threats made by militias who are
able to move about unrestricted. It is very likely that the militias based
in areas close to Dili, for example in Besi Merah Putih (Liquisa), Naga
Merah (Ermera), Hadomi (Manatuto) and Mahidi (Ainaro), will launch
operations to cleanse journalists from Dili. If the security forces, in
particular the military and the police, fail to take preventative action the
militias will be provided with an opportunity to operate freely in Dili.
During the most recent incident, on 1 September, two British journalists
were abducted by police and held for some hours before being released.
According to AJI, the violence and intimidation of journalists once again
demonstrates that the security forces, namely the military and the police,
are making no serious efforts to carry out their United Nations (UN) mandate
to provide security in East Timor.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the general:
ordinary people, but also among journalists
investigate
and arrest the perpetrators of violence, some incidents of which have been
shown on television
security in East Timor and to not ignore the mandate given to them by the UN
East
Timor to carry out their duties in a professional manner and disseminate
news throughout the world
Appeals To
General Wiranto
Commander of the Armed Forces
Markas Besar ABRI
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No 13
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 36 1471 (Armed Forces Headquarters) / 62 21 37 8144
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
