Shela Octavia, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Chairperson Muhammad Isnur is encouraging the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) not to be afraid to reinvestigate the 2004 assassination of renowned human rights defender Munir Said Thalib.
"Now, Komnas HAM shouldn't be afraid. Komnas HAM must seriously investigate it, because for us, Munir is not just a person, but a symbol in upholding human rights", said Isnur speaking at the YLBHI offices in Jakarta on Saturday November 22.
Komnas HAM should not hesitate to look for strong evidence to push for justice in the murder of this human rights activist.
"Komnas HAM should act decisively, swiftly, and impartially in summoning all parties, including witnesses, defendants, and suspects, to find out and gather stronger evidence to classify Munir's murder as a crime against humanity and a gross human rights violation", he said.
The YLBHI, which is part of the Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (KASUM), suspects that Munir's murder was carried out in a structured manner and had a widespread impact.
Isnur emphasised that with the existence of Law Number 26/2000 on Human Rights Court, Komnas HAM has the authority to summon and question anyone suspected of involvement in this case.
He hopes that Komnas HAM will not be afraid and will continue to summon the alleged perpetrators.
Isnur claimed to have heard that Komnas HAM commissioners have faced some resistance from parties seeking to intervene in the investigation.
"We've also heard that there are many concerns, many attempts to intervene like that with the commissioners", said Isnur. He is asking Komnas HAM not to be afraid of these so-called interventions.
Isnur emphasized that the escape of the former deputy chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), retired Major General Muchdi Purwoprandjono, from legal entanglement in 2008 was a failure of law enforcement.
According to Isnur, the evidence presented in court was strong enough to demonstrate Purwoprandjono's involvement in Munir's assassination.
"Muchdi Pr was a suspect and defendant in the trial process in what was called a court, and it was stopped because he was acquitted. And in our opinion, that's a failure of law enforcement. Even though the evidence was quite strong", said Isnur.
He said that he regrets that at the time, the Attorney General's Office did not file for further legal action, a judicial review. Now, it is hoped that the Attorney General's Office will pay attention to the investigation being conducted by the Komnas HAM.
Komnas HAM questioned Purwoprandjono over the Munir case on Friday November 21. "Yes (Komnas HAM questioned Muchdi Purwoprandjono). In the Munir case", Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah told Kompas.com on Friday.
He did not however elaborate on the investigation into the former Commander of the Indonesian Special Forces Command (Kopassus).
A glimpse into the Munir assassination
Munir was assassinated on September 7, 2004, on Garuda Indonesia flight GA-974 from Jakarta to Amsterdam via Singapore. He died approximately two hours before the plane landed at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, at 8.10 am local time.
The results of an autopsy revealed the presence of arsenic compounds in the body of the former chairperson of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Board of Directors.
Legal proceedings were launched against individuals suspected of involvement in Munir's murder with a court sentencing former Garuda Airlines pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto to 14 years in prison.
The court also sentenced Garuda Indonesia's then-president director, Indra Setiawan, to one year in prison. He was accused of assigning Priyanto to Munir's flight.
Several facts emerged in the trial suggesting the alleged involvement of high-ranking BIN officials in the murder. However, no high-ranking BIN officials were found guilty by the court. On December 13, 2008, Purwoprandjono, a defendant in the case, was acquitted of all charges.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "YLBHI Dukung Komnas HAM Usut Kembali Kasus Munir: Jangan Takut!".]
