PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS, PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA

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TAPOL Welcomes the Arrest of Muchdi PR as a Major Step towards Ending the Culture of Impunity

The arrest yesterday of Muchdi Purwopranjono to face the charge of the
murder of human rights activist, Munir, is a major step forward in
efforts to end the culture of impunity in Indonesia.

TAPOL warmly welcomes the arrest and calls upon the judiciary to proceed
with the case as quickly as possible and to ensure that the principles
of justice and transparency are upheld throughout the legal process.

It is now nearly four years since Munir was murdered on 7 September 2004
while travelling to The Netherlands. After a lengthy period during which
little was done to solve the murder, several important steps have been
taken in the past year with the conviction of the off-duty pilot,
Pollycarpus who is now serving a twenty-year sentence for his role in
the murder. It was during the judicial review by the Supreme Court of
the case against Pollycarpus that information came to light about the
co-pilot's repeated communications with Muchdi PR before and after the
murder.

A Fact-Finding Team set up the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
shortly after the murder came to the conclusion that the murder of Munir
was the work of a conspiracy and drew attention to the role of the
intelligence services in the crime. Ever since the Suharto era, these
forces have retained a formidable position within the establishment.

These facts highlight the significance of the arrest of Muchdi PR who
was formerly head of Indonesia's special forces, Kopassus, and was the
deputy head of the National Intelligence Aggency, BIN, at the time of
the murder.

Persistent efforts by Munir's widow, Suciwati together with KontraS
(Commission for the Disappeared and the Victims of Violence) to solve
the case have at last borne fruit. The main slogan of their campaign has
been: 'Justice for Munir, Justice for All', highlighting the link
between resolution of this crime and the beginning of  the process to
end the culture of impunity in Indonesia.

The campaign has also benefited from international support, largely
thanks to Suciwati's many visits around the world to draw attention to
the murder of her husband.

The forthcoming trial of Muchdi PR is now eagerly awaited by human
rights activists in Indonesia and around the world and may well bring to
light more information about the extent and depth of the conspiracy that
led to the tragic death of Indonesia's foremost human rights activist.

Indonesia's reputation as a country that upholds the rule of law is
certain to be enhanced by the successful conclusion of the trial.

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