Jakarta/Amsterdam, October 26, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and Medan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Medan) urge the Indonesian president and lawmakers to uphold the recent Constitutional Court ruling and promptly amend the 1997 Military Justice Law, a crucial step toward ensuring justice for the
killers
of Tribrata TV journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family.
On October 15, in response to a petition filed by Eva Meilani, Pasaribu’s daughter, and another victim challenging the constitutionality of the 1997 Military Justice Law, the Constitutional Court
ruled
that the law would be invalid if not amended within two years. The court said the amended law must require military personnel accused of criminal offenses against civilians to be tried in civilian courts.
Pasaribu, a journalist with news site Tribrata TV, was
killed
with his wife, son, and grandson in an arson attack in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra, on June 27, 2024. Before the attack, the 47-year-old received threats and demands that he take down a series of stories he wrote about an illegal gambling operation allegedly run by Cpl. Herman Bukit, a soldier with the Army’s 125th Battalion, stationed in the town. Following a closed investigation, military police under Regional Military Command I/Bukit Barisan stated that they lacked sufficient evidence to name Bukit as a suspect.
“We welcome the Constitutional Court’s ruling as a crucial step toward ending impunity for crimes against journalists involving military personnel,” said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia-Pacific director. “Lawmakers must swiftly amend the law to ensure justice for journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu’s family and other victims. This case must mark a turning point in Indonesia’s fight against impunity for crimes against journalists.”
“The Constitutional Court’s eagerly awaited ruling is a true victory for justice and a critical step for Indonesia in its fight against impunity,” said Jules Swin
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