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Tito should improve counterterrorism measures: Kontras
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House of Representatives' commission III chairman Bambang Soesatyo (left) shakes hands with National Police chief candidate Cmr. Gen. Tito Karnavian on June 22. (Tribunnews.com/Theresia Felisiani)
N
ational Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian, poised to take over the helm of the National Police, has great potential to end torture and criminalization of suspected terrorists, a human rights activist said on Thursday.
Tito has the potential to be a role model for National Police reform, especially with his background in counterterrorism. He could change the practice of criminalization and the use of torture during the law enforcement process, said Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar on Thursday.
"These are among the things that damage the image of the police and should be reformed. He (Tito) cannot just stay silent and maintain the old ways," Haris said.
Tito has also been linked to alleged human rights violations, Haris acknowledged, citing a number of wrong arrest cases that occurred during the time Tito served as the chief of the Police’s Densus 88 anti-terrorism squad, in which victims were released with wounds.
"Tito could use his position to change the National Police, but this transformation would need to be monitored closely," Haris said.
Tito is the youngest three-star police general to be nominated as the National Police chief.
He is currently undergoing fit and proper test, organized by the House of Representatives, before his candidacy is finalized. National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti is due to retire on July 24. (bbn)
