Complete Resolution of Munir’s Murder, A Step Towards Ending the Impunity

On the eighth anniversary of the murder of the prominent Indonesian human rights defender Munir Said Thalib, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), chaired by Munir from 2003 until the time of his death, joins the human rights community’s call on the Indonesian government to reopen the investigation on the murder case. The AFAD is concerned that all those responsible for his death be brought to justice, thus making a significant breakthrough in the fight against the prevailing impunity from human rights violations committed against human rights defenders in Indonesia.

Munir was known to have championed the cause for the disappeared during the last months of the Suharto government in 1998 until the time of his assassination. As the founding chairperson of the Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (KontraS), he played an important role in the struggle for accountability on human rights violations in Aceh and Timor-Leste. An autopsy conducted by the Dutch authorities showed that he died of arsenic poisoning. Although a former Garuda pilot, Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto had been convicted for a premeditated murder, there are credible allegations that he could not have acted alone and that the real masterminds until now are spared from criminal responsibility. Former BIN deputy chief Maj. Gen. Muchdi Purwoprandjono was charged as a conspirator but was acquitted in December 2008.

This failure in the administration of justice is not only attributed to the complete flaws in the conduct of police investigation but also for the non-disclosure of the result of this investigation despite repeated requests of the Solidarity Committee for Munir (Kasum) to the Central Information Commission (KIP) to publicly release the document that is believed to contain an order from the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to murder Munir.

Despite the lack of full accountability on his murder case, the Attorney General’s Office made a surprising announcement in September 2011 that they considered the murder case of Munir, to be "closed". This is even made complicated by the recent death of Raymond “Ongen” J.J. Latuihamallo, a key witness to Munir’s murder. “Ongen” testified during the trial that he had seen Munir and Garuda pilot Pollycarpus talking at a coffee shop at Singapore’s Changi airport before Munir died. Though “Ongen” retracted his statement, his testimony led the court to find Pollycarpus guilty and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment.

This unraveling development gives us all an alarming concern not only that Munir’s murder remains unresolved but is also a bad precedent for human rights protection in Indonesia and undoubtedly contributes to the prevailing climate of fear among human rights defenders, some of whom have been at risks.

While Indonesia claims to move towards adherence to democracy and human rights, the continuing impunity from human rights violations can seriously undermine its stability and democratic reforms.

The much-desired resolution of Munir’s murder case is a litmus test to Indonesia’s commitment to guarantee and protect Indonesian people’s civil liberties and fundamental freedoms. It is also an expression of support to the continuing struggle of victims and their families for truth, justice and redress.

While we welcome the idea of the activists from Batu, a hilly town near Malang in East Java, to name a street in tribute to Munir Said Thalib, rendering justice to him and to all victims of human rights violations would truly serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy.

Today, as we pay tribute to our former chairperson whose memory will forever live and inspire us, we renew our commitment to continue the work against enforced disappearances and all forms of state violence.

Justice for Munir! Justice for All!

MUGIYANTO	MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO
Chairperson	Secretary-General