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.