Gagah Wijoseno, Jakarta – The European Union Parliament has issued a declaration calling on the Indonesian government to fully investigate the murder of human rights activist Munir. If Indonesia ignores the declaration, there is a possibility that EU countries will extend the ban on Indonesian airlines flying to Europe.

“Not just Holland that coincidentally was the country the Munir was to visit. Member states that number in the dozens, could influence the ban on flights to EU countries”, said Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (Kasum) coordinator Usman Hamid at the offices of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (Infid) on Jl. Mampang Prapatan in South Jakarta on Monday March 17.

Hamid warned that Europe has a cooperative relationship the fields of trade and Indonesian law enforcement. Legal and military reform cannot be separated from the role of EU countries.

It is because of this therefore, that Hamid has repeatedly warned the Indonesian government to respond to calls to resolve the Munir case, bearing in mind that Indonesia has significant interests with the EU.

“This could clearly influence relations, particularly European overseas policy. This is a very serious case, the EU is greatly concerned about this case”, asserted Hamid. (nik/nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]