(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a letter to Lampung Police Commissioner Sugiri by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: His Excellency Brigadier General (Police) Sugiri (Lampung Police Commissioner) Tel: +62 721 482 383 Fax: +62 721 486 081 Your Excellency, The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta condemns the […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a letter to Lampung Police Commissioner Sugiri by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
His Excellency
Brigadier General (Police) Sugiri
(Lampung Police Commissioner)
Tel: +62 721 482 383
Fax: +62 721 486 081
Your Excellency,
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta condemns the assault on Lampung Post daily photographer Syaefullah (29) by Lampung Police Mass Disperse Unit (UPS Dalmas) officers in the Bandarlampung City, Lampung (Southern Sumatra), on November 11, 2002.
On the day of the attack, the photographer was covering the Disperse Unit officers’ assault on a truck driver who collided with an armored car belonging to the Lampung Police Directorate. The incident occurred in the middle of the city, in front of the Indonesian Railway Company (PT KAI) offices. As he was photographing the scene, all of a sudden, more than 10 officers turned their anger at Syaefullah and dragged the Lampung Post photographer inside the railway offices. There he was interrogated, punched and kicked. The photographer kept telling the officers that he was from the press, but the authority officers kept on beating him with their bats. He was later taken outside and punched several more times. The officers also took away his camera and film.
As an organization of journalists dedicated to press freedom and to the protection of journalists, SEAPA Jakarta condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms. The organisation believes that it points to a further weakening of press freedom in Indonesia. Journalists must be free to conduct their professional duties without fear of harassment or attack. Such incidents could foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigations and misleads the promotion of self-censorship.
SEAPA demands that the Lampung Police prosecute its officers. As a law enforcement institution, Lampung Police must honour and respect the work of journalists. SEAPA, along with other media advocacy organisations, will monitor this case closely and awaits a response from you.
Respectfully Yours,
Lukas Luwarso
Country Director
Solahudin
Advocacy Coordinator
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:His Excellency Brigadier General (Police) Sugiri
(Lampung Police Commissioner)
Tel: +62 721 482 383
Fax: +62 721 486 081Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
