SURINAME– Journalist association condemns vandalism and attacks on journalists during protests

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – The Association of Surinamese Journalists (ASJ) has strongly condemned the looting, vandalism, and attacks on journalists during and after the protests against the Surinamese government on Friday.

In a statement on Sunday, the ASJ said that as an independent professional association, every citizen has the constitutional right to exercise the right to demonstrate and express their opinion in the event of dissatisfaction with the current political and socio-economic situation.
“However, this cannot and should not lead to situations in which persons, state, and private objects are targeted,” the statement noted.
“Whatever motive is raised, the attack on the National Assembly building, the destruction of other buildings, arson, and the looting of shop premises, are an attack on democracy and the commission of acts punishable by law.”
According to the ASJ – it is a sign on the wall for when a very downbeat assessment is made of how independent journalists have suffered in the course of their work.
“The verbal intimidation with threats, the destruction of camera equipment, the theft of a mobile telephone and the car of a journalist set on fire must be characterized as severe attacks on press freedom.”
“It should be emphasized that journalists are primarily at the service of society to provide it with, in this case, first-hand information about what is going on in society. This is an undeniable pillar of democracy guaranteed by the Constitution. Attacks on the media and journalists, especially from society, are equivalent to violating one’s face.”
The ASJ calls on society to reflect on this and to deal sensibly with democracy, to protect it, and to experience it properly, both in exercising the right to freedom of expression and respecting freedom of the press.
The ASJ has called on the government to do everything it can to preserve and respect the rights and obligations arising from this.