(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: Media Release September 10 1999 IFJ Plea Over Four Missing Journalists As Media Pull Out of East Timor The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest organisation of journalists, has appealed for information on the fate of journalists reported missing in the chaos and violence of […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
Media Release September 10 1999
IFJ Plea Over Four Missing Journalists
As Media Pull Out of East Timor
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest
organisation of journalists, has appealed for information on the fate of
journalists reported missing in the chaos and violence of East Timor.
Three of the journalists are Indonesian nationals and members of the
Alliance of Independent Journalists, the Jakarta-based IFJ affiliate in
Indonesia; one other works for East Timor-based media.
“The people of East Timor are suffering a savage and horrifying onslaught on
a scale that compares with the days of Pol Pot in Cambodia,” said Aidan
White, IFJ General Secretary, “and journalists are among the targets of
violence.”
“We are very concerned about the welfare of our colleagues and we appeal for
information regarding their safety,” he said.
The IFJ, which opened a media safety office in Dili prior to the referendum,
has told all journalists in East Timor to evacuate the region. “The
situation is perilous and it is reckless of journalists to stay on. We
advise all journalists to leave because their safety cannot be guaranteed,”
said Aidan White.
The majority of people taking refuge in the UN compound in Dili have been
evacuated and journalists have been told they cannot remain. Among those
flown out today is Heather Paterson, the IFJ Safety Officer, who had moved
to the compound after the IFJ office was ransacked by militia at the
weekend.
The missing journalists are: Peter Rohi, a journalist with the Jakarta daily
newspaper “Suara Bangsa” who has not been heard of for three days; his son
Joaquim Rohi, who is also a stringer for Indonesia media; and Mindho
Rajagoekgoek, an Indonesian correspondent for Radio Nederland. Additionally,
Aderito Santa, a journalist for the newspaper “Suara Timor Timur” is also
missing.
The IFJ is the world’s largest organisation of journalists, representing
more than 450,000 journalists in 101 countries.
