Tribal leaders demand UN probe into Theys' murder

Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Papuan tribal leaders rejected what they called an unsatisfactory investigation into the murder of proindependence Papuan leader Dortheys "Theys" Hiyo Eluway, and called for the United Nations to set up an independent team to conduct an objective and thorough inquiry into the case.

Secretary-general of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) Tom Beanal told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that more than 1,000 tribal leaders who attended the four-day PDP meeting in Biak agreed to reject the military's investigation into the case due to its disappointing results.

"The trial of the elite personnel who killed Theys was not fair because it was conducted by the military itself and, therefore, the defendants were given light sentences," he said.

Beanal also said that the investigation into the murder was not carried out thoroughly because Aristoteles Masoka who drove for Theys when they were abducted was still missing.

"The military should bring back Masoka to his home or let us know his whereabouts if he is still alive, or let us know the place where his remains are buried if he has been killed," he said.

Seven personnel of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) who were found guilty of murdering Theys were given light sentences as no military officials were asked to take responsibility for issuing an order for his assassination.

All the seven Kopassus soldiers were convicted and sent to prison but received extremely light sentences, however, of between 24 and 42 months in prison.

Theys, a Papuan tribal leader who spoke for the province's independence during the 32-year New Order era, was murdered by a number of soldiers from the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) in the Entrop area, after attending a Heroes' Day celebration at Kopassus headquarters in the Hamadi area on Nov. 10, 2001. Theys' body was found a day later in Entrop near the border of Papua New Guinea, but Aristoteles, his driver, is still missing and believed dead.

Beanal underlined that according to participants of the meeting that ended early on Friday, Theys' case was still not over and, therefore, PDP would send a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to reopen the case.

He regretted that Jakarta and the Indonesian Military (TNI) had shown no commitment to try human rights abuse cases, saying this had sown hatred among the Papuan people and had obstructed the region's integration into Indonesia.

Beanal said further that the meeting also recommended the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights send a special rapporteur to inquire into the arbitrary arrest last month of Rev. Obed Komba, a Protestant minister in Lembah Baliem, Wamena, and 13 other civilians.

"They have been arrested in Abepura after the police failed to bring them to Jakarta. The confusing thing is that the police could not explain the reason for their arrest and we have received reports from the field that the arrests had been conducted systematically," he said, adding that the Indonesian government should release the detainees, pending a thorough and independent investigation into the case.

Beanal also said that the tribal leaders also expressed their great concern over the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the province, saying it was a serious threat to Papuan tribes' existence.

He called on all components in society, including the government, NGOs and churches, to show their commitment to fighting the disease, or at least slowing its spread.