The Hague to Name Street After Munir

VIVAnews - The Hague administration will name a street in the city after Indonesia's late human rights defender Munir. Radio Netherlands reported Wednesday that the local administration chooses "Munirstraat" as a token of respect for Munir, who died from arsenic poisoning in 2004. 

Suciwati, Munir's wife, said in a statetement that she considered the homage to Munir a surprising birthday gift. "Guys, would you please remind The Hague of its promise?" she said. "He was most respected [abroad], while his fellow countrymen pay less respect to him."

In addition to Munir, other notable Indonesian figures have been earlier monumentalized in the country such as Irawan Sujono (Amsterdam), Mohammad Hatta, and Raden Ajeng Kartini (Haarlem).

Choirul Anam, member of the Action Committee for Munir Solidarity, said the promise to name a street after Munir was expressed by the mayor of The Hague on March 28. "It was during Suciwati's time of advocacy there that the honor was presented," he said.

"The tribute is a way of struggling against forgetting," he said.