Rights activists seek credible probe on Munir's death

Rights activists seek credible probe on Munir's death

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Fearing that the death of rights campaigner Munir could have been
a political assassination, a number of colleagues demanded on
Friday an investigation that would involve the police and the
National Commission on Human Rights.

Noted lawyer-cum-rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis, on behalf
of fellow rights campaigners, also called on the government to
provide protection for the team even after a public announcement
of the result of any inquiry.

The activists also insisted that the autopsy report be given
to Munir's wife Suciwati in addition to the government
authorities.

"International diplomatic protocol cannot deprive the right of
Munir's family, in this case his wife, from the autopsy result,"
Todung told a media conference at the office of the Commission
for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Central
Jakarta.

Suciwati was present at the media gathering held in response
to findings by Dutch doctors that Munir died of arsenic poisoning
hours before he arrived in the Netherlands on Sept. 7.

Friends of Munir had already suspected that his sudden death
was unusual, considering that Munir had undergone a medical check
one month before he left and doctors said he had no health
problems.

They also said that Munir appeared healthy and cheerful before
departing to the Netherlands to continue his study on human
rights at Utrecht University, where he had been offered a
scholarship.

Munir died on a Garuda Indonesia flight to Amsterdam via
Singapore. During the flight he vomited and went to the restroom
several times.

"A doctor who happened to be aboard and had helped Munir said
he was likely suffering from a bout of diarrhea. The doctor,
however, was a bit astonished that he died so fast," Kontras
coordinator Usman Hamid said.

Suciwati said she would allow the police to exhume Munir's
body, if necessary.

"I just want those responsible for his death to be held
accountable by our justice system. Don't ask about my
feelings ... I can't say a word," Suciwati said between sobs.

The colleagues said a week before he left for the Netherlands,
he spent most of his time with his friends who were preparing a
farewell party for him.

Usman said he invited Munir to the Kontras office on Jl.
Mendut in Central Jakarta, on Aug. 31 to meet with fellow Kontras
activists.

Munir was the founder of Kontras and the organization's
initial coordinator.

Colleagues from the Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial)
held a farewell party for Munir on Sept. 3 at their office on Jl.
Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, and later in the evening, Munir's
friends from ProPatria, a non-governmental organization concerned
with military issues, invited him to Hotel Santika in Jakarta, to
celebrate his success in obtaining the scholarship.

Usman said Munir spent the remaining days at home in Bekasi,
West Java before his departure.