[RE: UA-164-2004: INDONESIA: The family receives death threats for demanding an impartial inquiry into the death of Munir; UP-30-2005: Unveiling of suspect in Munir’s death may end further inquiries; UP-47-2005: State intelligence officers delay Munir investigation; UP-72-2005: Mandate of fact-finding team into Munir’s murder should be extended and made more effective; UP-83-2005: Police fail to follow up on fact-finding report into Munir case]
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of the trial of Garuda pilot Pollycarpus as a suspect in the death of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib. The AHRC is concerned that this is just a show trial for the purpose of making the suspect a scapegoat, while others responsible for Munir’s death are not being apprehended.
The trial against Pollycarpus (Case No. 1305/JKT.PST/07/2005) began at the Central Jakarta District Court on 9 August 2005, with chief public prosecutor Domu P Sihite reading the charges against him. He was charged with committing or participating in the planned murder of Munir either alone or in collaboration with suspects Yeti Susmiarti and Oedi Irianto, as well as with fabricating documents.
However, the prosecution made no mention of the findings of the presidential fact-finding team (TPF), which suggested the involvement of senior employees of the Garuda airline and high-ranking intelligence officials in Munir’s death (see further: UP-30-2005, UP-47-2005, UP-72-2005, UP-83-2005).
The police have also not taken into account the TPF’s findings; after the TPF’s mandate ended in June, the police were to take over the investigation, but the AHRC is not aware of any actions to investigate or charge those named by the fact-finding team as being involved in the murder.
The poor performance of the police as well as the questionable reputation of the Indonesian prosecution and judiciary leads to fears that the trial of Pollycarpus is intended to divert attention from the wider intrigue surrounding Munir’s murder.
The next hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 16. Please ask the Attorney General and the Chief of Police to incorporate the findings of the TPF in their work and ensure that all those ultimately responsible for the death of Munir are identified and brought to justice.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
Re: INDONESIA: Trial of Pollycarpus ignores fact-finding team reports
I am writing to you in grave concern at the trial of Garuda pilot Pollycarpus in relation to the death of human rights defender Munir Said Thalib.
It has come to my attention that on 9 August 2005, a trial was opened against suspect Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto by the Central Jakarta District court (Case No. 1305/JKT.PST/07/2005). Pollycarpus is charged with committing or participating in the planned murder of Munir.
I am disturbed that the prosecution failed to mention the wider intrigue surrounding Munir’s death, which was suggested by the presidential fact-finding team (TPF), involving former high-ranking officials of the State Intelligence Body (BIN), as well as senior employees of Garuda.
This failure of the prosecution, together with the failure of the police to investigate the persons mentioned by the TPF, leads me to fear that the current trial will serve to divert attention from the real perpetrators, with Pollycarpus becoming a scapegoat.
I therefore urge you to intervene and ensure that the public prosecutor and the police incorporate the findings of the TPF and bring all those responsible for the death of Munir to justice.
Sincerely yours,
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SEND A LETTER TO:
1. Gen. Sutanto
National Chief of Police
Jl. Trunojoyo
No. 3 Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 7218001
Fax: + 62 21 720 7277
2. Mr. Abdul Rahman Saleh
Attorney General of Indonesia
Attorney General’s Office
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 720 8557
Mobile: +62 81 118 5009 (Adjudant)
Fax: +62 21 725 0213
3. Domu P Sihite
Chief Public Prosecutor
Attorney General’s Office
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 720 8557
Fax: +62 21 725 0213
4. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono
President
Republic of Indonesia
Presidential Palace
Jakarta Istana Negara
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 5627 ext. 1003
Fax: +62 21 345 7782
PLEASE SEND COPIES TO:
1. Mr. Hamid Awaluddin
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Uahi Utoyo Usman S.H.,
Menteri Kehkiman,
JI. H.R. Rosuna Said Kav. 6-7
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Fax: + 62 21 525 3095
2. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Chairperson
KOMNAS HAM [National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia]
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3925230
Fax: +62 21 3151042
E-mail: info@komnasham.or.id
3. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative for human rights defenders
Att: Ben Majekodunmi
Room 1-040, C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 93 88
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
E-mail: bmajekodunmi@ohchr.org
4. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Att: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
