Munir's family, police agree on team
Munir's family, police agree on team
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post
Police and activists, close friends and family members of noted
rights campaigner Munir agreed on Tuesday to form an independent
investigative team to assist the police investigation into
Munir's death.
Munir, the founder of both the Indonesian Human Rights Watch
(Imparsial) and Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of
Violence (Kontras), died of arsenic poisoning aboard a Garuda
flight from Jakarta to Amsterdam on Sept. 7.
A group of activists had submitted a list of suggested members
of an independent investigative team to police almost one month
ago.
Bambang Widjajanto of the Foundation of the Indonesia Legal
Aid Institute (YLBHI) said after a meeting with police on Tuesday
that lawyers, Munir's family members including widow Suciwati,
and police had agreed on draft guidelines for the investigative
team.
According to the draft, the team would work alongside the
police, but report directly to President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono.
It also has to complete its work within three months of its
establishment, but its working period may be extended for another
three months.
"The draft guidelines say that the team is authorized to
convey its views to the police, monitor the investigation
conducted by the police and also summon and question people
connected to the case when necessary," Bambang said.
He promised that the team's work would not overlap with the
police investigation since the draft guidelines specified that
the team's main duty would be to support the police
investigation.
Previously, President Susilo had agreed to establish an
independent team to investigate the case and gave the authority
to rights' activists to design the duties and structure of the
team.
"There are two main structures in the investigative team, a
working unit and supervisory unit. Representatives from the
police, government and the Attorney General's Office will be
placed in the working unit," Bambang explained.
Bambang added that the draft would be submitted to the
President by the National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar in the
next Cabinet meeting.
"We hope that we will get a presidential decree to mandate the
establishment of the team so that it can work efficiently and
effectively," Bambang said.
With a presidential decree, followed by a presidential
instruction for the implementation of the team's functions,
Bambang hopes that the team will have full authority to access
any documents from agencies that are directly answerable to the
President such as the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
Bambang also said that activists had proposed the composition
of the team, which included noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis,
Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif and former first lady Sinta
Nuriah as well as human rights campaigner Asmara Nababan.
Meanwhile, the working team would comprise Hendardi, Usman
Hamid, Munarman, Attorney General's Office pre-trial director
Putu Kusah and one representative from the police with the rank
of brigadier general.
Imparsial director Rachland Nashidiq said that the composition
of the team members could be changed by the President later.
"We're merely proposing those names and the President can
change the names if he wishes," Rachland said.
Munir's widow Suciwati said that she felt optimistic that the
team would help and encourage the police to solve the case
faster.