Papuans demand rights trial for Theys' murderers

Papuans demand rights trial for Theys' murderers

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua

The Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) has demanded that the seven
Army Special Forces (Kopassus) members and a former member
standing trial for the murder of the council's former chairman be
put on trial at a human rights court.

PDP secretary general Thaha Mohammad Alhamid said on Wednesday
that the murder of proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay in
November 2001 should be classified as a gross human rights
violation as it involved the state apparatus.

"If the government wishes to restore its tarnished image among
Papuans, the abduction and killing of Theys should be tried at
the human rights court. The government should take the initiative
to see that justice is done," Thaha said.

He asked the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
to form a team of inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity in
Theys' murder.

The seven Kopassus officers being court-martialled at the East
Java Military Tribunal based on recommendations from the
government-sanctioned National Commission of Inquiry (KPN), which
grouped the military, police, prosecutors and members of Komnas
HAM. The KPN concluded no human rights abuses occurred.

The court martial has been widely seen as a legal settlement
to protect soldiers involved in crimes.

Prosecutors in the Theys' murder case have only demanded jail
sentences of between two and seven years for Kopassus members Lt.
Col. Hartomo, Maj. Donny Hutabarat, Capt. Rionardo, First Lt.
Agus Suprianto and First Sgt. Lorensius, Chief Sgt. Asrial and
Achmad Zulfahmi, who has been dismissed.

Thaha said his demand for a human rights tribunal for the
officers was guaranteed by the Law No. 26/2000 on Human Rights
Court due to the use of systematic measures in the murder of
Theys.

The law stipulates that the House of Representatives has the
privilege to order a rights tribunal.

Thaha said it was important to uncover the motives behind the
murder and the highest officer who ordered the killing.

"Lt. Col. Hartomo and his company were only the executioners.
They have to reveal who gave them the order," Thaha said.

PDP also demanded that the police find Theys' driver
Aristoteles Masoka, who has been missing since the murder of the
proindependence leader and presumed dead.