An acid attack on Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission\nfor the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), is considered\ncapable of producing suppression and a widespread chilling effect within\ncivil society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis attack can produce extraordinary suppression of public\ncriticism through a widespread chilling effect,\u201d said Ikhsan Yosarie,\nhuman rights researcher and security sector specialist at Setara\nInstitute, in a written statement on Sunday (15 March).<\/p>\n
Ikhsan expressed concern that the incident could set a dangerous\nprecedent damaging civil freedoms if allowed to proceed without firm and\ntransparent legal action.<\/p>\n
According to him, the acid attack on Andrie can be read as a symbolic\nmessage directed at the public at large, suggesting that voicing\ncriticism could carry serious risks.<\/p>\n
Ikhsan added that the acid attack constitutes extremely serious\nviolence that cannot be tolerated in a nation upholding the principles\nof democracy and human rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident not only attacks an individual, but also threatens the\nsafety of human rights defenders who have worked to ensure checks and\nbalances on power, and who advocate for various violations of citizens\u2019\nconstitutional rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ikhsan stated that this acid attack incident serves as an alarm to\nstrengthen protection mechanisms for human rights defenders in\nIndonesia, including through strengthening the state\u2019s commitment to\nguaranteeing freedom of expression and the safety of civil society\nactors carrying out advocacy functions.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that protection of human rights defenders is an\nintegral part of protecting democracy. According to him, when fear\nrestricts public participation in civic space, democracy loses one of\nits main foundations in the form of free and equal citizen\nparticipation.<\/p>\n
According to Ikhsan, the state\u2019s failure to protect human rights\ndefenders is not merely a matter of individual security and safety, but\nalso represents a tolerance of the destruction of democratic space that\nis occurring.<\/p>\n
\u201cSetara Institute urges law enforcement officers, particularly the\nNational Police, to immediately conduct rapid, independent, and\ntransparent investigations into this case and uncover all perpetrators\nand intellectual actors behind the attack,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Not to be regarded as an ordinary attack<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Centre for Law and Policy Studies (PSHK) and the\nIndonesian Jentera Law School stated that the terror against Andrie\nYunus should not be regarded as an ordinary attack. According to them,\nthe acid attack is an act of violence that cannot be tolerated and must\nbe immediately thoroughly investigated by law enforcement.<\/p>\n
Rizky Argama, executive director of PSHK, stated that in the context\nof human rights defence and public advocacy work carried out by the\nvictim, the acid attack should also be seen as a threat to civic space\nand the rule of law principle guaranteeing citizens\u2019 freedom to express\nopinions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent years, various indicators have shown a trend of shrinking\ncivic space in Indonesia. Human rights defenders, journalists,\nacademics, and other elements of civil society increasingly face\nintimidation, criminalisation, or other forms of violence when carrying\nout public advocacy work,\u201d Rizky said in a written statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe attack on Andrie Yunus reinforces concerns that human rights\ndefence work is increasingly facing serious security risks,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
Aria Suyudi, chairman of Indonesian Jentera Law School, added that\nfrom a rule of law perspective, this situation cannot be allowed to\ncontinue.<\/p>\n
When human rights defenders can be brutally attacked in public space\nwithout adequate protection, he said, what is at stake is not only\nindividual safety, but also the integrity of the democratic system and\npublic trust in law enforcement.<\/p>\n
PSHK together with Indonesian Jentera Law School views that the\nprotection of human rights defenders is an integral part of the agenda\nto strengthen the rule of law in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirm and transparent law enforcement in this case is an important\ntest of the state\u2019s commitment to protecting civil freedoms,\u201d Aria\nsaid.<\/p>\n
PSHK and Indonesian Jentera Law School then urged law enforcement to\nthoroughly investigate the attack on Andrie Yunus, including\napprehending perpetrators and uncovering those behind the brutal\nincident.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Urging) the government to provide real and effective protection for\nhuman rights defenders, civil society activists, and those carrying out\npublic advocacy work,\u201d they stated in their demands.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Urging) the government to ensure Andrie Yunus receives the best\nmedical care and comprehensive recovery support,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
Andrie Yunus became a victim of acid attack by unknown perpetrators,\nresulting in serious injuries across his body, particularly on both\nhands and arms, face, chest, and eye area.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred shortly after Andrie finished recording a\npodcast at the Office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) titled\n\u201cRemilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia\u201d at approximately\n23:00 WIB on Thursday (12 March).<\/p>\n
Following the incident, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for\nmedical treatment. Medical examination showed Andrie suffered burn\ninjuries to 24 per cent of his body. His right eye became the most\nseriously affected area.<\/p>\n
The government through several ministers condemned the acid attack\ntargeting KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.<\/p>\n
Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights,\nImmigration, and Correctional Affairs, stated that the attack on a human\nrights activist is a blow to the practice of democracy in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe acid attack on Andrie Yunus from KontraS is a serious assault on\ndemocratic principles,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/acid-attack-on-kontras-activist-and-the-threat-of-chilling-effect-1773582982", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }