Komnas HAM Asks for Increase in Investigative Authority
Monday, 07 April, 2008 | 18:20 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is asking for an increase in its investigative authority.

“This increase in investigative authority is part of the proposed changes to the Human Rights Court State Decree,” Nur Kholis, a member of the Komnas HAM sub commission for monitoring and investigation told Tempo, yesterday (6/4).

According to Nur Kholis, the proposal will be submitted to the Home Affairs Minister and the House of Representatives (DPR).

“We are finishing the proposal,” he said.

The proposal will not change the principle of the regulation, only the increase in authority.

Nur Kholis said that it was within the DPR’s authority to approve the proposal or not because this is a political decision.

Previously, another member of Komnas HAM, Kabul Supriyadhie, said that the commission wanted to have investigative authority like the Commission to Eradicate Corruption (KPK).

Komnas HAM believes this additional authority would help in settling unfinished human rights violation cases.

Deputy of the House's Judicial Commission, Soeripto, said that Komnas HAM did not need to investigate human rights violations in Indonesia.

What was more important was to optimize the performance of investigative institutions.

“Komnas HAM should work together with experts from the Attorney's Office or the Police if they want to investigate,” said this politician from the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) faction.

Even investigations by the KPK are supported by experts from these institutions.

Deputy of the House's Judicial commission from the Golkar faction, Aziz Syamsuddin, said that he would consider Komnas HAM's proposal about additional authority.

“We will study the draft first,” he said.

CHETA NILAWATY | EKA UTAMI APRILIA