Two British journalists convicted in Indonesia over visa violations
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 3 November 2015 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Two British journalists convicted in Indonesia over visa violations, 3 November 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/567276f62d.html [accessed 2 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
New York, November 3, 2015 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the conviction of British filmmakers Neil Bonner and Rebecca Prosser who, according to reports, were sentenced to two and a half month in prison in Indonesia today. The conviction represents a failure of the government to reverse its long-standing anti-media policies.
Neil Bonner and Rebecca Prosser, center, in court in Indonesia in October. The British filmmakers were sentenced for visa violations on November 3. (Reuters/Beawiharta)
Bonner and Prosser have been held in Batam, south of Singapore, since May on charges of breaking immigration regulations by working while on tourist visas, according to reports. They were arrested after being picked up by the Indonesian navy while making a documentary about piracy in the Strait of Malacca, reports said.
"Indonesia's continued policies of restricting foreign media run against the promises President Joko Widodo made when he took office last year. The government continues to suppress coverage of sensitive stories," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "Neil Bonner and Rebecca Prosser never should have been arrested in the first place."
The filmmakers, who were fined a total of 50 million Indonesia Rupiah, or about U.S. $1,850 each, remained in custody after the trial, but their lawyer Aristo Pangaribuan said they would be released Friday for time already served unless prosecutors appeal the sentence, The Associated Press reported.
Nine Indonesians working with the Britons were also arrested but released on bail two days later, according to media reports. Charges have not been brought against them but if they were convicted they could face up to two years in prison or a fine.
Bonner and Prosser were working for the London-based Wall to Wall video production company that is producing the documentary. The piece was funded by National Geographic. The two were held under house arrest for four months before being transferred to a prison in Batam in September, according to reports. Their trial began last month.
