Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the acid attack case against senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Mr. Novel Baswedan. Since the attack occurred on 11 April 2017 until present, there is no progress. Despite the police having arrested and interrogated the alleged perpetrators, they were finally released due to a lack of evidence. The police has not cooperated with other institutions such as the National Commission on Human Rights to solve the case. President Widodo also prefers to let the police work alone, rather than setting up a special fact finding team to investigate.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
More than two months after Novel Baswedan, a senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), became an acid attack victim, no one has been prosecuted for the crime. In May 2017, the police arrested Mr. Niko Panji Tirtayasa as a suspected perpetrator of the attack. Tirtayasa was detained for 24 hours and finally released due to lack of evidence. The police, after considering witness testimony, concluded that Tirtayasa was not in Jakarta when the attack occurred. The police had previously summoned three persons allegedly involved in the acid case, but they were also released due to lack of evidence.
The national media has questioned the police’s investigation process, which apparently has some discrepancies and controversies. According to the Tempo newspaper, there are four controversial items in the investigation process.
One of these is the lack of fingerprints. Although a green cup was found at the place of attack, which the attackers used to throw the acid at Novel’s face, the police state no fingerprints were found on the cup’s handle. This is strange, but the police have provided no explanation regarding the matter.
It is clear that the police is not being professional in investigating this case. The police are also reluctant to involve other institutions to maximize the investigation result, such as the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), civil society groups and anti-corruption activists.
Further, the government, in particular President Joko Widodo, has yet to show political support to ensure that the police will be able to solve the case. This is particularly important as the investigation result will become history, seen as a benchmark in Indonesia’s war against corruption.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the police investigation report and progress is made public. Further, President Joko Widodo should fully support and encourage the police investigation.
In addition, independent organizations such as the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) should be involved to strengthen the investigation effort and result. The Commission III of the Parliament dealing with law and human rights should evaluate and monitor the investigation process and use its authority to communicate with the Chief of National Police.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment calling for his intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
INDONESIA: Two months later still no perpetrators found in acid attack against Novel Baswedan
Name of victims: Novel Baswedan
Names of alleged perpetrators: unknown person related with a graft case
Date of incident: 11 April 2017
Place of incident: Kelapa Gading, Jakarta
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the acid attack case against senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Mr. Novel Baswedan. Since the attack occurred on 11 April 2017 until present, there is no progress. Despite the police having arrested and interrogated the alleged perpetrators, they were finally released due to a lack of evidence. The police has not cooperated with other institutions such as the National Commission on Human Rights to solve the case. President Widodo also prefers to let the police work alone, rather than setting up a special fact finding team to investigate.
More than two months after Novel Baswedan, a senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), became an acid attack victim, no one has been prosecuted for the crime. In May 2017, the police arrested Mr. Niko Panji Tirtayasa as a suspected perpetrator of the attack. Tirtayasa was detained for 24 hours and finally released due to lack of evidence. The police, after considering witness testimony, concluded that Tirtayasa was not in Jakarta when the attack occurred. The police had previously summoned three persons allegedly involved in the acid case, but they were also released due to lack of evidence.
The national media has questioned the police’s investigation process, which apparently has some discrepancies and controversies. According to the Tempo newspaper, there are four controversial items in the investigation process.
One of these is the lack of fingerprints. Although a green cup was found at the place of attack, which the attackers used to throw the acid at Novel’s face, the police state no fingerprints were found on the cup’s handle. This is strange, but the police have provided no explanation regarding the matter.
It is clear that the police is not being professional in investigating this case. The police are also reluctant to involve other institutions to maximize the investigation result, such as the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), civil society groups and anti-corruption activists.
Further, the government, in particular President Joko Widodo, has yet to show political support to ensure that the police will be able to solve the case. This is particularly important as the investigation result will become history, seen as a benchmark in Indonesia’s war against corruption.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the police investigation report and progress is made public. Further, President Joko Widodo should fully support and encourage the police investigation.
In addition, independent organizations such as the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) should be involved to strengthen the investigation effort and result. The Commission III of the Parliament dealing with law and human rights should evaluate and monitor the investigation process and use its authority to communicate with the Chief of National Police.
I look forward to your prompt action in this case.
Yours Sincerely,
—————-
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol. Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky Indarti
Commissioner of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor. Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. H. Bambang Soesatyo, S.E., M.B.A
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp : +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax : +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Abdul Haris Semendawai
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
Jalan Raya Bogor KM. 24 No. 47-49, Susukan, Ciracas, RT.6/RW.1, Susukan, Ciracas, Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13750
Tel: +62 21 29681560
Fax: +62 21 29681551 / +62 21 29681557
9. M. Imdadun Rahmat
Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
