Rights body may reopen probe into Marsinah case
Rights body may reopen probe into Marsinah case
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has
uncovered enough new information to reopen the investigation into
the 1993 slaying of female labor activist Marsinah, a Komnas HAM
member said.
"We have found significant information around Marsinah's
killing, that is why we have informed President (Megawati
Soekarnoputri) of our intention to carry out a fresh round of
investigations," Bambang W. Soeharto told The Jakarta Post on
Friday.
Komnas HAM chairman Djoko Sugianto met with the President on
Thursday to inform her of the commission's plan to reopen the
investigation into Marsinah's killing. Megawati, according to
Djoko, has thrown her full support behind the commission.
Labor activist Marsinah was found dead near Nganjuk, East
Java, on May 9, 1993, after leading a strike at PT Catur Putra
Surya, a watch factory in Sidoarjo, East Java. Her badly
mutilated body showed signs of torture and rape.
None of the eight defendants brought to trial for the murder
were convicted. Many people suspect security forces were involved
in the murder.
Komnas HAM launched an investigation into the slaying in 1994,
with team members including the late Baharuddin Lopa, current
commission chairman Djoko Soegianto and Bambang. Heavily
overshadowed by the police investigation, the probe failed to
yield any clear results.
Bambang said Komnas HAM would establish a team to follow up
its previous investigation, as well as its monitoring of the
police investigation and the trial.
"Should the team find physical evidence indicating crimes
against humanity, Komnas HAM will form an inquiry team," he said.
According to Bambang, some of the recently obtained
information was puzzling but matched with facts from the field.
"We have to be very prudent in this matter ... it is the
concern of the international community. We will study all the
information we have to find a weakness where we can start the
investigation," he said.
Bambang said the commission completed its reports on the case
two years ago, but delayed plans to reopen investigation because
there were more immediate cases that had to be dealt with.
"We are optimistic about unraveling the case ... the
commission is obliged to find the murderers. Moreover, we believe
that even though it takes time to do the work, the truth will be
found," he said.
Meanwhile, Brawijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. A.D. Sikki
said on Friday he fully supported the reopening of the Marsinah
probe, adding that if any military personnel were involved in the
1993 murder, they would not be protected by his office.
"But it is my hope that the investigative team will not corner
any members of the military command ... the results of the
investigation will not be easily believed," Sikki was quoted by
Antara as saying.
Meanwhile, the East Java Police tried passing the ball to the
Supreme Court, claiming on Friday that Marsinah's family had
found new evidence and were awaiting the results of a Supreme
Court review of the case.
"The police have done their job in this case. We have done our
best," East Java Police chief Brig. Gen. Heru Susanto was quoted
by Antara as saying.
This was, however, denied by Supreme Court secretary-general
Gunanto S. on Friday, who said that to his knowledge the case had
never come to the attention of the Supreme Court.
"No, I believe this case has never entered the books of the
Supreme Court," Gunanto told the Post on Friday.