Investigation into Theys' murder draws skepticism<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Papuan people's hope for a thorough investigation into the
\napparent murder of proindependence Papua Presidium Council (PDP)
\nChairman Dortheys \"Theys\" Hiyo Eluay may have been dashed as the
\ngovernment decided to include the military (TNI) and Police in
\nthe proposed investigation team.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono revealed on Wednesday that President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri would issue immediately a decree on the
\nproposed establishment of the independent commission that would
\ninclude both the TNI and the police.<\/p>\n
He said the inclusion of the TNI and of the National Police in
\nthe commission was to \"accommodate the team's requirement should
\nthey encounter problems in dealing with the military and police
\nduring the investigation.\"<\/p>\n
Besides officials from the military and the police, the
\ninvestigating commission would also have prominent Papuan
\nmembers, including religious leaders and several human rights
\nactivists from the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas
\nHAM) in Jakarta and Papua.<\/p>\n
Susilo however, declined to reveal the names of the commission
\nmembers, saying that he was awaiting approval of the President
\nbefore exposing it to the national and foreign press and the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Susilo made the statement only weeks after the government said
\ntwo weeks ago that both the police and military would be included
\nin the commission.<\/p>\n
Both Papuan officials and religious figures have called on the
\ngovernment not to include the military and the police but to
\nappoint independent and credible professionals to carry out the
\ninvestigation. They are of the opinion that it would be
\nimpossible to conduct a fair and objective investigation should
\nthe military and the police be included in the commission.<\/p>\n
A group of Papuan religious leaders also proposed a number of
\nindependent professional activists to carry out the
\ninvestigation.<\/p>\n
The establishment of an independent commission has been
\nproposed after numerous teams from numerous institutions,
\nincluding the Irian Jaya police failed to fully identify Theys'
\nmurderers.<\/p>\n
Theys was found dead in his car in Koya Tengah Village near
\nthe provincial capital Jayapura -- which is close to the border
\nwith Papua New Guinea -- on Nov. 10, 2001, a day after he and his
\ndriver Aristoteles Masoka were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.<\/p>\n
The Irian Jaya Police have said the Army's special forces unit
\nin Hammadi, Jayapura, was allegedly involved in the murder but
\nthey could not carry out further investigations into the case
\nbecause servicemen were not under Police jurisdiction which only
\nincludes civilian law.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/investigation-into-theys-murder-draws-skepticism-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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