JP\/7\/Theys<\/p>\n
R.K. Nugroho
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJayapura<\/p>\n
Frustrated by a stalled police investigation, the pro-
\nindependence Papua Presidium Council (PDP) has called on the
\ngovernment for an independent investigation of the murder of PDP
\nChairman Dortheys Hiyo Eluway, found dead in his minivan near the
\nborder with Papua New Guinea on Nov. 11.<\/p>\n
Thaha Al-Hamid, secretary general of the PDP, said here on
\nMonday that he has received repeated requests from PDP chapters,
\nboth in Iriyan Jaya and overseas, for an immediate formation of a
\ncredible, independent team to carry out a thorough probe into the
\nmurder case.<\/p>\n
PDP members were not in the least surprised that local police
\nhalted their investigation \"because we predicted it beforehand,\"
\nhe observed acidly.<\/p>\n
To ease political tensions, the central government has
\nrecently decided to set up an independent team to allow it more
\noversight of the investigative process.<\/p>\n
The decision was based on the recommendation given by the
\nNational Commission of Human Rights following its preliminary
\ninquiry into the killing at the end of December.<\/p>\n
Both informal and religious leaders in the province have lent
\ntheir weight to Jakarta's move, saying they were far from sure
\nwhether the local police would fully be able to follow through in
\ntheir efforts.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Insp. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika said the police
\ninvestigation was halted because officials felt they had not
\nlearned anything else they deemed significant with which to carry
\non.<\/p>\n
Perhaps revealing, however was his acknowledgment that there
\nwas a certain group in the province which law enforcement
\nauthorities could not investigate under civilian law.<\/p>\n
Thaha said further that the PDP would support the central
\ngovernment were it to recruit credible professionals and experts
\nfor the independent team.<\/p>\n
\"The team will be more credible if it involves foreign sides,\"
\nhe said, adding that Todung Mulya Lubis and Asmara Nababan, two
\nnoted human right activists, should be part of the team.<\/p>\n
Provincial Police officials, speaking off the record, said the
\nnew independent team -- whose presidential decree has yet to be
\nissued -- would cull its members from the National Police, the
\nMilitary Police Corps, and the National Commission of Human
\nRights, along with local informal and religious figures.<\/p>\n
Thaha said that, despite being the proposal, Tom Beanal,
\nsecretary general of PDP, would abstain from joining the team, a
\nmove he said was needed to allow for the team to work more
\nobjectively.<\/p>\n
The local office of the National Commission for Violence
\nVictims and Missing Persons (Kontras), Legal Aids Institution
\n(LBH), and Institution for Human Rights Advocacy (ELL-SHAM) were
\nalso expected to disclose the results of their inquiries into the
\ncase.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp7theys-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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