(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a statement by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: To all conflicting parties in Aceh, The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta is alarmed over two arson attacks, the latest of several in recent weeks. Delivery vehicles of the Serambi Indonesia daily, in Banda […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a statement by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
To all conflicting parties in Aceh,
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta is alarmed over two arson attacks, the latest of several in recent weeks. Delivery vehicles of the Serambi Indonesia daily, in Banda Aceh, capital of the troubled region of Aceh, were targeted twice by unknown individuals on 22 and 24 October 2002.
The first incident occurred at dawn as the delivery vehicle was traveling on Banda Aceh Boulevard, on the way to the city of Meulaboh, West Aceh. The distribution officer planned to deliver papers to the northwestern region of Aceh. At around 2:45 a.m., the Serambi vehicle was driving through the Lhoknga district, West Aceh, when it was stopped by four armed men. They told the driver and distribution officer to get out of the car and leave the area. “We’re borrowing your car,” said one of the men. Before the Serambi employees had gotten very far, they saw the four men setting the vehicle on fire.
The second incident occurred two days later, on 24 October. Another vehicle, carrying about 5000 copies of the Serambi newspaper, was intercepted by two armed men in the town of Bungkah, North Aceh, near the border of Aceh and North Sumatra. The two men forced their way into the vehicle and took over the controls, steering the car away from the main road. The two Serambi employees were blindfolded, handcuffed and later released, somewhere along the way. The assailants drove on towards the border. Later on that day, Cot Murang villagers informed Serambi that the vehicle had been found and that it had been set on fire.
Thus far, neither the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) nor the armed forces (TNI) have claimed responsibility for the attacks. Local journalists said, however, that the arson attacks were connected to a Serambi Indonesia report published earlier in October. The newspaper had reported that the Minister of Defense and Political Affairs sponsored a petition with the Aswaja Islamic clerics, alerting the public to the fact that “it is forbidden to fight the government” and that the government must “destroy GAM”.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Serambi Indonesia has lost eight expedition vehicles.
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta urges all the parties in the conflict to honor and respect the press as a tool for reconciliation. Serambi Indonesia has worked independently, even under duress from both GAM and the TNI. Responding to every article with violence will not resolve the ongoing conflict in Aceh. Violence against the press will instead further increase the onslaught of innocent civilians. Therefore, in the spirit of peace, SEAPA Jakarta makes a plea to all the parties to allow journalists and media workers to conduct their duties without fear.
Yours Respectfully,
Lukas Luwarso
Country Director
Solahudin
Advocacy Coordinator
