Credible members important to probe Theys murder<\/p>\n
or<\/p>\n
Credibility a must in Theys murder investigation<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Noting a growing sense of resentment among Papuans, analysts
\nsay the inquiry into the murder of Irian Jaya independence leader
\nTheys Hiyo Eluay must be credible in order to earn the trust of
\nthe local population -- and reveal who was behind the killing.<\/p>\n
Legal expert Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara said on Friday that
\nthere will inevitably be Papuans who reflexively reject members
\nof the independent investigative team, but added that the sooner
\nthey can \"prove their credibility,\" the better.<\/p>\n
Despite the presence of government officials, with a sincere
\ndegree of \"independence and credibility ... then people will
\nsupport them,\" Abdul Hakim told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, however, said that it
\nwould be preferable not to involve government officials in the
\nteam at all, to allay concerns among Papuans who are suspicious
\nand embittered towards Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe it is better to have (only) non-government people in
\nthe team and it will be easier to win support from the locals --
\nbecause, as we all know, these people do not trust the
\ngovernment,\" Todung said.<\/p>\n
But he did not deny that the trustworthiness and legitimacy of
\nthe team members -- and proper subsequent legal proceedings --
\nwould be the crucial in gaining national and international
\npolitical support.<\/p>\n
Theys was found dead in his overturned car on Nov. 11, 2001,
\nafter having dinner in the provincial capital Jayapura with the
\nlocal commander of the Army's elite Kopassus special forces the
\nday before. Police have yet to rule out military involvement in
\nthe killing, despite repeated denials by the army.<\/p>\n
The death of Theys has bolstered the already-strong demands
\nfor independence among the two million Papuans, who say the
\ngovernment has siphoned off the province's wealth, while giving
\nback little in return.<\/p>\n
Abdul Hakim also said that, apart from initial reactions to
\nthe effort, the team deserves a chance to prove itself before
\nbeing criticized.<\/p>\n
\"There will be voice of rejection,\" he said, \"so this
\nindependent team is the chance for the government to prove its
\npolitical will in resolving the murder.\"<\/p>\n
Asked about the demand to have international intervention,
\nAbdul Hakim said: \"It is not necessary, and I believe the
\ninternational community will respect the domestic effort.\"<\/p>\n
Relenting to public pressure, the government said on Thursday
\nit will establish an impartial team, and that it is working on
\nits composition.<\/p>\n
Government officials said that the team would report directly
\nto the President Megawati Soekarnoputri who, they added, is in
\nthe process of drafting a presidential decree for the formation
\nof the team.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
\nproposed that a team with police and military elements along with
\nprominent local figures and representatives of non-governmental
\norganizations probe the case.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman of the Papua Presidium Council (PDP), Tom
\nBeanal, along with its secretary general Thaha Al-Hamid, had said
\nthat Papuans would refuse such a team, suggesting it would be
\nmerely a surrogate for the government and called for
\ninternational intervention instead.<\/p>\n
Todung underscored that, although the team would only possess
\ninvestigative powers and that responsibility for the follow-up
\nprocedures would lie with the government, there will be no
\nproblem if the results are satisfactory.<\/p>\n
\"This is the chance to show the political will of the
\ngovernment,\" he added, \"and the team should demonstrate its
\nindependent (status) to get both national and international
\nacknowledgement.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/credible-members-important-to-probe-theys-murder-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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