JAYAPURA (Southeast Asian Press Alliance / Pacific Media Watch): Independent media organisations in Southeast Asia have joined the growing pressure on the Indonesian government to release two French journalists arrested in West Papua a month ago.
In a statement, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) condemned the continued detention by the Indonesian police of journalists Thomas Dandois and Valentine Bourrat.
Indonesian authorities detained Dandois and Bourrat on August 5 after they entered West Papua on tourist visas to shoot a documentary for Arte TV. Foreign journalists covering the military occupation of West Papua are routinely barred from entering by the Indonesian government unless they seek a 'journalist visa', which is rarely granted to journalists wishing to cover political or human rights stories.
“We view both the detention of Dandois and Bourrat and the ongoing ban on foreign journalists in Papua as blatant violations of Indonesia’s own Press Law (U.U. 40, 1999),” SEAPA said.
The extended detention of Dandois and Bourrat without any clear legal proceedings is illegal, SEAPA stressed.
“Indonesia’s authorities must make clear what charges the duo are facing and must also justify their continued detention".
According to SEAPA. “it is important for the government of Indonesia to use press law in handling the case, as it protects freedom of the press in the country, guarantees against censorship, and protects journalists' right to access information".
Visa system slammed
"Journalists must not be restricted from covering conflict and other sensitive topics, which is a valid ground for refusing to inform government of their mission,” SEAPA said.
The organisation also slammed the "journalist visa" system that the Indonesian government has imposed on media wishing to cover issues in West Papua.
"It is impractical, and more importantly, potentially restrictive for governments to require journalists visas for visiting journalists,” said SEAPA.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, AJI, the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information of Indonesia (ISAI), and the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) are founding members of SEAPA.
Cafe Pacific on the detention of the French journalists
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