Activists protest team for Munir

Activists protest team for Munir

JAKARTA: A group of rights activists lamented on Tuesday the
government-sanctioned fact-finding team that will probe the death
of rights campaigner Munir, which they claim was powerless.

They insisted that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono approve
the establishment of a supervisory team under noted lawyer Todung
Mulya Lubis, Muhammadyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarief and a high
ranking police officer, and drop forensic expert Mun'im Idries
from the team.

"Presidential Regulation No. 111/2004 limits our role to
carrying out an investigation for litigation purposes in the
presence of a supervisory team. The decree goes against an
initial commitment reached between us and the police," said
Asmara Nababan, who was appointed as deputy chairman of the
government-sanctioned team.

Present during the press conference were other appointed team
members, including Smitha Notosusanto and Usman Hamid. -- JP.