Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Banten People Legal Aid (LBH Rakyat Banten) about the brutal attack and illegal arrest of Mr. Panji Bahari, a journalist of Banten Post, while he was covering a student protest. While Bahari has logged a report to the police, there is no guarantee that the report will be investigated and the alleged perpetrators prosecuted. The police should ensure that the victim is entitled to adequate remedy and that similar cases do not recur.
CASE NARRATIVE:
On 20 October 2017, a journalist of Banten Post, Mr. Panji Bahari, was brutally attacked and arrested by police officers of Serang City Police Office (Polres Serang Kota). At the time, Bahari was covering a demonstration about three years of President Joko Widodo’s administration, conducted by students of the Islamic State University (UIN) Sultan Maulana Hasanudin in Banten province.
On that day, at 3:15 p.m., when the protesters were sitting and enjoying the skit and speech being delivered, police officers guarding the protest suddenly attempted to forcibly disperse the gathering.
According to Bahari, somebody suddenly pushed him into the middle between protesters and the police, then he was kicked, beaten and punched, as well as shouted as provocateur. He was trying to show his journalist identity card as well as shout that he is a journalist, but he could not speak as his neck was being strangled.
Then Bahari was pulled by a police officer and brought to a government office in front of the Islamic University. When Bahari showed his journalist card again, instead of releasing him, the police punched him again. Subsequently, Bahari was brought to a police vehicle, where he was punched again, with the police calling him a ‘provocateur’. The police also continued to threaten him.
After the incident, Bahari when to the local hospital to conduct visum at repertum, a medical examination to prove that he was a victim of violence. The result of the medical examination from local hospital in Serang city found bruises and wounds on the right side of the face and neck, and right thigh due to kicks and being stepped on.
After the medical examination, Bahari logged a complaint at the Banten Regional Police Office. According to the Police Chief of Serang City Police Office, the perpetrator had been detained for further investigation. The Police Chief also promised to use this case to evaluate professionalism of his subordinate, as well as to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the police officers involved in the brutal attack should be held accountable before the criminal court. The police should not use ethic mechanism to avoid criminal charges. In addition, the victim should be given adequate remedy and guarantee for non recurrence. Also, it should be investigated as to why the police suddenly used force to disperse a peaceful protest.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, calling for their intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
INDONESIA : Police brutally attack journalist of Banten Post
Name of victims : Mr. Panji Bahari, a journalist of Banten Post
Names of alleged perpetrators : Police officers of Serang City Police Office (Polres Serang Kota)
Date of incident : October 20, 2017
Place of incident : In front of the State Islamic University (UIN) Sultan Maulana Hasanudin, Banten province.
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the brutal attack and illegal arrest of Mr. Panji Bahari, a journalist of Banten Post, while he was covering a student protest. While Bahari has logged a report to the police, there is no guarantee that the report will be investigated and the alleged perpetrators prosecuted. The police should ensure that the victim is entitled to adequate remedy and that similar cases do not recur.
On 20 October 2017, a journalist of Banten Post, Mr. Panji Bahari, was brutally attacked and arrested by police officers of Serang City Police Office (Polres Serang Kota). At the time, Bahari was covering a demonstration about three years of President Joko Widodo’s administration, conducted by students of the Islamic State University (UIN) Sultan Maulana Hasanudin in Banten province.
On that day, at 3:15 p.m., when the protesters were sitting and enjoying the skit and speech being delivered, police officers guarding the protest suddenly attempted to forcibly disperse the gathering.
According to Bahari, somebody suddenly pushed him into the middle between protesters and the police, then he was kicked, beaten and punched, as well as shouted as provocateur. He was trying to show his journalist identity card as well as shout that he is a journalist, but he could not speak as his neck was being strangled.
Then Bahari was pulled by a police officer and brought to a government office in front of the Islamic University. When Bahari showed his journalist card again, instead of releasing him, the police punched him again. Subsequently, Bahari was brought to a police vehicle, where he was punched again, with the police calling him a ‘provocateur’. The police also continued to threaten him.
After the incident, Bahari when to the local hospital to conduct visum at repertum, a medical examination to prove that he was a victim of violence. The result of the medical examination from local hospital in Serang city found bruises and wounds on the right side of the face and neck, and right thigh due to kicks and being stepped on.
After the medical examination, Bahari logged a complaint at the Banten Regional Police Office. According to the Police Chief of Serang City Police Office, the perpetrator had been detained for further investigation. The Police Chief also promised to use this case to evaluate professionalism of his subordinate, as well as to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the police officers involved in the brutal attack should be held accountable before the criminal court. The police should not use ethic mechanism to avoid criminal charges. In addition, the victim should be given adequate remedy and guarantee for non recurrence. Also, it should be investigated as to why the police suddenly used force to disperse a peaceful protest.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol. Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky Indarti
Commissioner of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor. Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. H. Bambang Soesatyo, S.E., M.B.A
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp : +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax : +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Abdul Haris Semendawai
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
Jalan Raya Bogor KM. 24 No. 47-49, Susukan, Ciracas, RT.6/RW.1, Susukan, Ciracas, Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13750
Tel: +62 21 29681560
Fax: +62 21 29681551 / +62 21 29681557
9. Mr. Nur Kholis
Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
