Arientha Primanita, Jakarta – A decade since Munir Said Thalib's death, fellow activists recall his courage and passion for justice.

Munir, a leading human rights activist, had been outspoken in criticizing military officials for human rights violations in provinces such as in Aceh and Papua and in what is now Timor Leste. He died on Sept. 7, 2004, during a flight to the Netherlands, where he was pursuing a master's degree in international law and human rights. The father of two was 38 years old.

Activists lauded his courage and the legacy he left behind for the next generation of human rights defenders.

Haris Azhar, chairman of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) – a nongovernmental organization that Munir co-founded – said that Munir raised public awareness in standing up for human rights and he was not afraid to fight against injustice by an authoritarian regime.

"Along with other human rights activists, he contributed to civil courage. He also developed a stepping stone for the next generation to take in upholding human rights," he said.

Poengky Indarti, executive director of the Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial), said Munir's biggest legacy was in exposing gross human rights violations to the public, including in one case the disappearance of activists that led to the dismissal of former Army general Prabowo Subianto from the military.

"Munir was also a human rights fighter who was really persistent in criticizing security officials," she told the Jakarta Globe. "He was also at the forefront in criticizing impunities in the country, and he had never stopped calling for the trials of human rights violators."

Poengky, who was Munir's subordinate at Imparsial, recalled him as a best friend, a brother and mentor since they started out as activists in Surabaya in 1992 – at a time when authoritarian leader Suharto still held great influence over Indonesia.

"He was really brave, humble, honest and loyal with strong humanitarian principles. He was not preoccupied with positions [of power] or wealth," she said.

Albert Hasibuan, legal and human rights advisor to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, praised Munir as a simple man with a strong personality and intention to uphold human rights.

"Most human rights activists are not hungry for power but are strong in idealism. Munir was one of them. He taught his peers and society to fight for human rights," he said in an interview. "Another of his strong legacy was his strong objection to violence."

Andreas Harsono, a researcher at Human Rights Watch in Indonesia, views Munir as one of the brightest minds this country ever had. He said Munir was a human rights champion as well as a public intellectual.

Andreas said he is currently compiling essays written by leading Indonesian thinkers of the 20th century. He has read almost all of Munir's essays and says that Munir is comparable to other great Indonesian thinkers like Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, Sutan Sjahrir, Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta and Abdurrahman Wahid.

"His legacy will be necessary for the state of Indonesia to move forward with the protection of human rights. He might be dead, but his legacy lives on. Indonesia should be proud of having its son, Munir," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/activists-recall-munir-principled-non-violent-intellectual/