Transparency needed<\/p>\n
In a plenary session which lasted almost until midnight on
\nTuesday, the case of the death of Yogyakarta journalist Fuad
\nMuhammad Syafrudin, alias Udin, and the Situbondo (East Java)
\nriots were the main points on the agenda discussed by the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights.<\/p>\n
Regarding the Situbondo riots, little that was new could be
\ndisclosed by the commission. According to the commission, four
\nkinds of rights violations occurred in this case: against the
\nprinciple of freedom of religion, against the right to life,
\nagainst the right to property and against freedom from fear.<\/p>\n
In the case of Udin, the commission could provide more
\ndetails. Among other things, it found what it referred to as an
\n\"engineering\" of the case and failure on the part of police
\ninvestigators to respond to reports regarding several individuals
\nwho were allegedly involved in these engineering attempts. This,
\naccording to the commission, violated the principles of equality
\nbefore the law and a fair trial.<\/p>\n
Regarding Dwi Sumadji, the present suspect in the case, the
\ncommission found indications of human rights violations. First,
\nthe procedure of Dwi's arrest had weaknesses that could be viewed
\nas human rights violations. Second, the seizure of evidence in
\nthe form of Dwi's personal belongings did not comply with the
\nstipulations of the law. Third, (police) allegations that an
\nillicit affair took place between Udin and Sunarti -- Dwi's wife
\n-- were not adequately supported by evidence. This was considered
\nby the commission to be a violation of the basic principle of
\nfairness.<\/p>\n
These findings are in agreement with the public conception of
\nthe case so far. They are important to note, however, because of
\ntheir striking incongruity with statements that have been issued
\nby the police so far. When two views are in such diametrical
\ncontradiction of each other, surely it is impossible for both to
\nbe right.<\/p>\n
It would therefore be highly advisable that both those
\nprestigious institutions work together to resolve this case in a
\ntransparent manner.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/transparency-needed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }