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.