The Surinamese Association of Journalists (SVJ) has “strongly condemned” the attack on a radio station here, as police continue to investigate what led to bullets being shot at the private radio station on Tuesday.
According to police, unknown individuals fired bullets at Radio LIM FM in the capital during the early hours, where the manager and owner, Clifton Limburg, lives with his family.
Limburg stated that he had no idea where the attack originated, but that he will not be “intimidated” or deterred by the action that damaged his wife’s vehicle.
During the previous government, Limburg was the spokesperson for former President Desi Bouterse, and his radio program “Bakana Tori” is critical of the current Santokhi administration.
While the “motive for this shooting is still unknown,” the SVJ said in a statement that it “strongly expresses its rejection of what happened and condemns this shooting.”
“If this turns out to be an intimidating attack on the media house and the presenter, it would constitute undermining and violating the freedom of the press and 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, urging judicial authorities and the government, particularly the Ministry of Justice and Police, to conduct an extensive investigation.
The incident was condemned by Justice Minister Kenneth Amoksi, who told reporters on Wednesday that every effort is being made to solve the crime and bring the offenders to justice.
Meanwhile, the ruling Progressive Reform Party (VHP) has condemned the attack, stating that it “does not fit into our democratic system at all.”
“Not only is this an attack on the rule of law and democracy, but it is also an attack on our hardworking entrepreneurs.” If this heinous conduct is meant against LIM FM’s medium, it violates fundamental rights such as freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of life, according to the ruling party’s statement.
The ruling party stated that, regardless of the motivation for this “cowardly act,” chaos and lawlessness had no place in the Surinamese system.
“We must always walk the democratic path.” “No one has the authority to take matters into their own hands,” claimed the VHP.
Democratie en Ontwikkeling in Eenheid (DOE), an extra-parliamentary party, declared in a statement that “such events” against anyone or any agency had no place in a democracy and the rule of law.
“It creates an imbalance as well as a heavy sense of insecurity.” “The party wishes to see that the facts of this heinous event are quickly revealed by the authorities,” DOE stated.
