`Alia' cancellation an obstruction of freedom<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
State-owned television stations' ban of a play highlighting
\ninjustices in Aceh was an obstruction of freedom of expression,
\nactivists say.<\/p>\n
Noted lawyer and human rights campaigner Todung Mulya Lubis
\nsaid TVRI's decision not to air Alia, Luka Serambi Mekah (Alia,
\nWound on Veranda of Mecca) was repeating the censorship pattern
\nimposed under the authoritarian rule of former president
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
\"Once the media compromise with this kind of censorship --
\nwhich I believe promotes human rights abuses -- it will affect
\nother media. And once the media follows this pattern, such
\nrepressive acts will happen again and again,\" Todung said.<\/p>\n
TVRI signed a contract with Teater Satu Merah Panggung, which
\nproduces Alia, to air the play on Dec. 15 to celebrate
\nInternational Human Rights Day, but then canceled the plan \"due
\nto the development situation over the peace process in the
\nNanggroe Aceh Darussalam province.\"<\/p>\n
Stage actress and activist Ratna Sarumpaet, who founded Satu
\nMerah Panggung maintained TVRI's decision was due to intervention
\nby the Indonesian Military (TNI).<\/p>\n
\"The TV station said the military officer invited to see the
\nscript of Alia decided to ban the play, saying it would hurt the
\nhearts of the Acehnese,\" Ratna told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Col. D.J. Nachrowi, an official at TNI's
\ninformation department, denied Ratna's accusation, saying \"we
\nhave no right to interfere with television programs.\"<\/p>\n
\"Should TVRI cancel the play, maybe it is due to the script
\nitself ... does it (the script) make any contribution to the
\ngovernment's efforts to create peace in the province, or even if
\nit will affect the current process there?\"<\/p>\n
Todung, however, challenged TNI's argument and said the peace
\nagreement for Aceh should also reflect the reality on the ground,
\nwhere many Acehnese people were continuing to demand open and
\njust trials for those responsible for rights violations in the
\nregion during military operations between 1989 and 1999.<\/p>\n
\"I think the military should see that the play can contribute
\nto the peace process as it reflects the real demands of the
\nAcehnese.\" Todung said.<\/p>\n
Ratna said Monday she still hoped TVRI would eventually air
\nAlia<\/p>\n
\"Becoming an actress means that you have to reflect on the
\nreality of life, and it really saddens me if all Indonesian
\nactresses are afraid to do so,\" Ratna said.<\/p>\n
Performed by Teater Satu Merah Panggung, Alia, Luka Serambi
\nMekah is the tale of a Alia, a daughter of Acehnese freedom
\nfighter Cut Nyak.<\/p>\n
A rape victim, Alia refuses to let her spirit be broken.
\nSeeing that fear threatens to take over the lives of those in her
\ncommunity, she rises up in rebellion.<\/p>\n
Alia's father invites her to join the guerrilla forces
\nfighting for independence, but she refuses, standing firm in her
\nbelief that the fight for independence is not merely for land,
\nbut also for peace.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alia-cancellation-an-obstruction-of-freedom-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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