Indonesia: Arrests Too Slow After Violent Killing

August 24, 2010

Arrests Too Slow After Violent Killing In Indonesia

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), in demanding that Indonesian authorities immediately arrest the known suspects in the killing of journalist Ridwan Salamun in Tual, in the Maluku Islands, on August 21.

Ridwan, a new contributor for SUN TV, was reporting on a clash between residents of Banda Eli and Mangun in Tual, Southeast Maluku, when he was assaulted by members of one of the groups, news reports said.

Ridwan was taken to hospital with machete injuries to his neck and back, but died two hours later. His camera is still missing.

“The IFJ has learned that local police in Tual are reportedly aware of who is responsible for the senseless and brutal killing of Ridwan Salamun, but have not taken steps to arrest them,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“This is disgraceful. The IFJ calls on law enforcement agencies to reverse Indonesia’s culture of impunity and immediately arrest the alleged perpetrators of this horrific crime.”

Demonstrations of solidarity were held by journalists in Denpasar, Bali and in Jakarta to protest the killing of Ridwan.

The IFJ joins AJI in calling for all media companies in Indonesia to enact measures to protect journalists on the job by providing them with best-practice safety training and insurance in order to minimise the inherent risks for reporter covering conflicts and other violent incidents.

ENDS