Papuan officials slam KPN's conclusions on Theys murder
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Papuan officials lashed out at the National Investigative Commission's (KPN) recommendation that the murder of proindependence Papuan leader Dortheys "Theys" Hiyo Eluway was an ordinary crime as stipulated by the Criminal Code, saying it was not in line with "the true story" the Papuan people knew about.
Irian Jaya Governor Jaap Solossa said most Papuan people were disappointed with the investigation's result because they knew that it was a serious violation against human rights.
He admitted his office has received many letters from numerous groups protesting the commission's recommendation and the ongoing investigation of the case.
"Papuan people have expressed their anger with the commission's bad performance and the absence of the government's strong commitment to investigate the case thoroughly," he said in a break at a seminar on Papua's special autonomy here on Tuesday.
Solossa insisted that Theys' murder was a serious human rights violation because besides committing no wrongdoing, Theys was abducted and killed sadistically and his body was dumped at a remote area outside the provincial capital of Jayapura.
"What is wrong that Theys was killed sadistically. Papuan people know he was killed because he had a different opinion with Jakarta on the province's future and he had fought peacefully," he said, citing the difference of opinion was guaranteed by the Constitution.
Theys was found dead inside his Kijang minivan on Nov. 11, 2001, in a remote area in Koya Tengah, bordering with Papua New Guinea, after attending the celebration of the National Heroes' Day at the Army Special Force (Kopassus) compound in Hamadi area in the city a day before. Theys was accompanied by his driver Aristoteles Masoka when he was abducted by unidentified men who were believed to have killed him.
National Military Police are still investigating three members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) who were held responsible for Theys' murder.
The investigation was carried out after the commission led by Koesparmono Irsan, a member of the National Commission of Human Rights, recommended the government to have the National Military Police investigate the case which was classified into an ordinary crime.
Solossa said he won't interfere with the ongoing investigation but the Papuan people have hinted a panel of Ad Hoc judges to try the human rights violation.
"The government's credibility is being tested on the fairness of the investigation of the case and how the trial will be conducted since the case has gained the world wide attention," he said.
John Ibo, chairman of the Irian Jaya provincial legislative council, concurred and said that many people who had given their testimonies had been terrorized by unidentified men.
"The police must provide protection for all the witnesses and investigate the recent shooting by a Kopassus member of a witness," he said.
First Sgt. Yani was arrested by the military police unit of the Trikora Military Command overseing Papua, for shooting 27- year-old Yeret Imowi. Imowi survived the incident.
John said Theys murderers put Aristoteles in a hideout because he was a key witness in the case.
He said that according to witnesses' testimonies, Aristoteles knew the men who abducted Theys but he was hidden to prevent him from revealing the truth.
"According to six witnesses who accompanied Aristoteles to report Theys' abduction to the Kopassus unit commandant, he knows the abductors and they frequently had lunch at Theys' residence in Sentani, near the city," he said.