Aji Condemns French Journalists' Imprisonment

Jakarta, Sept 5 (Antara) - The Indonesian Alliance of Independence Journalists (AJI) has condemned the imprisonment of two French journalists, Thomas Charles Dandois and Marie Valentine Bourrat, in Papua since August 7, 2014. The General Chairman of AJI, Eko Maryadi, announced during a press conference at the Indonesian Press Council office in Jakarta, on Friday, that the imprisonment of the two French journalists was a contradiction to press freedom, which had always been promoted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "The authorities have not followed consistency in handling the case, as AJI recalled that during the 2012-2013 period, seven foreign journalists who had violated immigration laws had been deported immediately," pointed out Eko. Dandois and Bourrat were found to be possessing tourist visas, while conducting journalism activities in Papua. However, it has also been proven that the journalists had been conducting research for a documentary film about Papua and Papua New Guinea. "AJI does not consider their actions in Papua a mistake, as Indonesia is a free country and Papua had never been declared as a region with exclusive conditions," Eko noted. "The only mistake of the journalists that we highlight is that they had entered with tourist visas," he added. According to Article 122 of the Indonesian Law No. 6 Year 2011 on Immigration, Foreign journalists are required to obtain journalist visas to conduct journalist activities in Indonesia. "Therefore, we urge the authorities to release the journalists and return their belongings," said Eko. Eko also reminded the Indonesian government to resolve the case elegantly and immediately, as some international journalist alliances have put the concern of the journalists under the spotlight. "Up to now, we have received six solidarity letters for Thomas and Valentine (the two France journalists), including the International Federation of Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) based in New York, and the France Frontiers Journalists," said Eko. Eko emphasized that AJI required the government to immediately deport the two French journalists before "unnecessary complications" develop through the international press community. Dandois and Bourrat were hired by Arte TV, a television broadcasting channel based in France, which had sent a confirmation letter as its capacity as their employer in assigning them to conduct research for a documentary film in Papua. The French Embassy in Indonesia had also provided a personal guarantee for Dandois and Bourrat, assuring that both will obey Indonesian Law.