IFJ Protests Violence Against Journalists in Aceh

The International Federation of Journalists has sent letters of protest to the President of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri voicing its concern over the restriction of coverage and increasing violence against media outlets and journalists reporting on the conflict in Aceh.


20 June 2003

Her Excellency Megawati Sukarnoputri
President
Republic Of Indonesia
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 1
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: + 62 21 526 8726


Dear Excellency,

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, views with alarm the serious deterioration of press freedom in Indonesia, specifically in relation to the war in Aceh. The IFJ protests various incidents in relation to coverage of the action in Aceh, notably the restriction of coverage and increasing violence against media outlets and journalists.

According to our information, the latest attack on media in Aceh was the discovery of the body of Mohamad Jamal, a cameraman for the state-owned TVRI television station. We understand that Jamal was kidnapped on 20 May and his bound and weighted down body was found in a river in Banda Aceh on 17 June.

This latest distressing discovery confirms the increasing spiral of violence against journalists and media in Aceh and restrictions of coverage in the province.

Restriction of coverage
The IFJ is deeply concerned over the proposed prohibition by the Nanggro Aceh Darussalam military authority against the press's disclosure of information from the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM).

Following the declaration by your Government of a state of martial law in Aceh, we understand that Major General Endang Suwarya, head of the martial law administration in Aceh, warned journalists that the media are not to report on statements issued by the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Further, we understand that the Minister for Communication and Information, Syamsul Muarif, on 29 May stated that he supports the military's decision to restrict media coverage of the conflict.

We understand that GAM have used this restriction on reporting their comments to justify an increase in intimidation of and attacks against journalists.

The IFJ is also concerned by the threats made by the Indonesian military to sue Tempo for a report it carried reporting an alleged murders of civilians. The IFJ is aware of reports that the military have intimidated journalists in relation to this report.

Violence against media and journalists
The IFJ is deeply concerned over the recent attacks and violence against the media that have occurred in Aceh over the recent weeks, including the attack on Jamal and the burning of the relay antenna of RRI in Indrapuri, District Aceh Besar on 21 May.

In addition, according to our reports there have been further violence against media workers including:
* Thursday 22 May: car of TV7 journalists shot at in District Pidie.
* Friday 23 May: a car of RCTI journalists attacked in Pidie.
* Saturday 24 May: a car of media workers from Metro TV and Media Indonesia Daily were shot at by a group of armed people in Bireun district. The same day, another group of journalists were shot at in cars in District Pidie.

Accordingly, the following resolution was passed at the IFJ Executive Committee meeting on 7-8 June in Brussels:

The IFJ calls on the Government of Indonesia to order the military and ministers to respect freedom of the press and journalists' responsibility to provide full and fair coverage of the fighting.

The IFJ requests that the military and the ministry immediately withdraw comments and demands restricting the issues and the sources on which journalists may report.

The IFJ urges the Government of Indonesia to recognise that every journalist is obliged to work according to the principles of fair and balanced reporting, and the media's right and obligation to report the side of the GAM as well as the TNI.

In a democratic society, institutions like the military are rightly subjected to media scrutiny and should not resort to the courts to block the full coverage and analysis of their actions. In most democratic societies, public institutions like the military have no right to sue. The IFJ calls on the Indonesian military to withdraw their threats to sue Tempo.

The IFJ calls on all parties in the action to immediately cease harassing and intimidating journalists, and respect the role of journalists to report the news.

The IFJ demands that the Government of Indonesia launch a full investigation into the burning of the relay antenna of RRI in Indrapuri, District Aceh Besar on 20 May, to ensure that those who are responsible are brought to justice.

In addition, the IFJ calls on the Government of Indonesia to launch a full investigation into the incidents of violence against media workers.

Under the Geneva Conventions, journalists and other media workers should be treated as civilians. This clearly outlaws the treatment of the media - both media outlets and individual journalists - as military targets unless there is clear evidence that they are fulfilling a definite military purpose.

Finally, the IFJ calls on the Government of Indonesia, the TNI and the GAM to remember the vital importance of a free press in a democracy; to do all that is necessary to ensure that press freedom is not corrupted; and to ensure the safety and of all journalists working in Indonesia generally, and at this crucial time, in Aceh in particular.

Since the passing of this resolution, we further call on your Government to launch an immediate and high level investigation into the killing of cameraman Jamal, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Yours sincerely


Christopher Warren
President

Recommended action:

Send appeals:

* Urge the Government to launch an immediate and high-level investigation into the killing of cameraman Jamal, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

* Urging the Government of Indonesia, the TNI and the GAM to ensure press freedom the safety and of all journalists working in Indonesia generally, and in Aceh in particular.


* Calling on all parties in the action to immediately cease harassing and intimidating journalists, and respect the role of journalists to report the news.

* Demanding that the Government of Indonesia launch a full investigation into the burning of the relay antenna of RRI in Indrapuri, District Aceh Besar on 20 May, to ensure that those who are responsible are brought to justice.


* In addition, the IFJ calls on the Government of Indonesia to launch a full investigation into the incidents of violence against media workers.


Appeals:

Her Excellency Megawati Sukarnoputri
President
Republic Of Indonesia
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 1
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: + 62 21 526 8726