The Surinamese Association of Journalists (SVJ) has “strongly condemned” the attack on a radio station here as police continue their investigations into the circumstances that led to bullets being fired upon the private radio station on Tuesday.
Police said that unknown persons fired shots at the Radio LIM FM in the capital during the early hours where the manager and owner, Clifton Limburg, resides with his family.
Limburg said that he had no idea where the attack came from, but that he will not be “intimated” not deterred by the action that damaged the vehicle belonging to his wife.
Limburg served as the spokesperson for former president Desi Bouterse during the previous government, and his radio program “’Bakana Tori” is critical of the current Santokhi administration.
In a statement, the SVJ said while the “motive for this shooting is still unknown” it “strongly expresses its rejection of what happened and condemns this shooting.
“If it turns out that this is an intimidating attack on the media house and the presenter, it would constitute undermining and violating the freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which are guaranteed in the constitution and international treaties and declarations to which Suriname is a party.
“Shooting and other attacks on democratic foundations, institutions, persons, and organizations create an unsafe and burdensome feeling in society,” it said, calling on the judicial authorities and the government, and in particular the Ministry of Justice and Police, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Justice Minister Kenneth Amoksi , who condemned the attack, told reporters on Wednesday that every effort is being made to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the ruling Progressive Reform Party (VHP) has also condemned the attack saying it “does not fit in with our democratic system at all.
“This is not only an attack on the rule of law and democracy, but also on our hardworking entrepreneurs. If this cowardly act is directed against the medium of LIM FM, it goes against fundamental rights such as freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of life,” the ruling party said in its statement.
The ruling party noted that regardless of the motive for this “cowardly act”, there is no room for anarchy and lawlessness in the Surinamese system.
“We must always walk the path of democracy. No one has the right to take matters into their own hands,” the VHP said.
The extra-parliamentary party, Democratie en Ontwikkeling in Eenheid (DOE) said in a statement that “such events” against anyone or any agency have no place in a democracy and the rule of law.
“It creates an imbalance and a heavy feeling of insecurity. The party would like to see that the facts of this unsavory event are quickly exposed by the authorities,” DOE said.
Source-CMC
