Papuans demand rights trial for Theys' murderers<\/p>\n
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua<\/p>\n
The Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) has demanded that the seven
\nArmy Special Forces (Kopassus) members and a former member
\nstanding trial for the murder of the council's former chairman be
\nput on trial at a human rights court.<\/p>\n
PDP secretary general Thaha Mohammad Alhamid said on Wednesday
\nthat the murder of proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay in
\nNovember 2001 should be classified as a gross human rights
\nviolation as it involved the state apparatus.<\/p>\n
\"If the government wishes to restore its tarnished image among
\nPapuans, the abduction and killing of Theys should be tried at
\nthe human rights court. The government should take the initiative
\nto see that justice is done,\" Thaha said.<\/p>\n
He asked the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
\nto form a team of inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity in
\nTheys' murder.<\/p>\n
The seven Kopassus officers being court-martialled at the East
\nJava Military Tribunal based on recommendations from the
\ngovernment-sanctioned National Commission of Inquiry (KPN), which
\ngrouped the military, police, prosecutors and members of Komnas
\nHAM. The KPN concluded no human rights abuses occurred.<\/p>\n
The court martial has been widely seen as a legal settlement
\nto protect soldiers involved in crimes.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors in the Theys' murder case have only demanded jail
\nsentences of between two and seven years for Kopassus members Lt.
\nCol. Hartomo, Maj. Donny Hutabarat, Capt. Rionardo, First Lt.
\nAgus Suprianto and First Sgt. Lorensius, Chief Sgt. Asrial and
\nAchmad Zulfahmi, who has been dismissed.<\/p>\n
Thaha said his demand for a human rights tribunal for the
\nofficers was guaranteed by the Law No. 26\/2000 on Human Rights
\nCourt due to the use of systematic measures in the murder of
\nTheys.<\/p>\n
The law stipulates that the House of Representatives has the
\nprivilege to order a rights tribunal.<\/p>\n
Thaha said it was important to uncover the motives behind the
\nmurder and the highest officer who ordered the killing.<\/p>\n
\"Lt. Col. Hartomo and his company were only the executioners.
\nThey have to reveal who gave them the order,\" Thaha said.<\/p>\n
PDP also demanded that the police find Theys' driver
\nAristoteles Masoka, who has been missing since the murder of the
\nproindependence leader and presumed dead.<\/p>",
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