February 24, 2023
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 past.
In a statement on Sunday, the ASJ said that as an independent professional association, every citizen has the constitutional right, in the event of dissatisfaction with the current political and socio-economic situation, to exercise the right to demonstrate and express his or her opinion.
“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 of the country falling into anarchy when 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 which was set on fire must be characterised as very serious attacks on press freedom.”
“It should be emphasised that journalists are primarily at the service of society, in order to provide it with, in this case, first-hand information about what is going on in society. This is an undeniable pillar in democracy guaranteed by the Constitution. Attacks on the media and journalists, especially from society, are equivalent to violating one’s own 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 in its power to ensure that the rights and obligations arising from this are preserved and respected.