PERKUMPULAN Aktivis 98 (Activist Coalition 98) has condemned in the\nstrongest terms a violent attack on a human rights activist that has\nrecurred. The latest assault targeted Andre Yunus, an activist with the\nCommission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), who\nwas doused with caustic acid by an unknown assailant on Thursday, 12\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Lukman Nurhakim, Secretary General of Activist Coalition 98,\ncharacterised the attack as brutal intimidation that threatens civil\nliberties in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe attack, identified as an act of violent intimidation through\ncaustic acid dousing against KontraS activist Andre Yunus, is a brutal\naction perpetrated by a particular group that threatens freedom of\nassociation, assembly, and expression,\u201d he stated on Sunday, 15\nMarch.<\/p>\n
According to him, such acts of violence should not occur in a nation\nthat upholds democracy and human rights values. The incident also\ntarnishes the journey of reform that has lasted for over two\ndecades.<\/p>\n
Nurhakim, an alumnus of Universitas Katolik Parahyangan Bandung,\nstressed that violence against human rights activists risks disrupting\nthe long-term effort to build a civilised civil society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident tarnishes 26 years of reform and disrupts the lengthy\nprocess of realising a civilised civil society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Beyond Lukman, the statement was supported by several Activist 98\nfigures, including Muradi, a professor at Universitas Padjadjaran; Heru\nJoko from the Viking community; and Surya Wijaya, Chair of Activist\nCoalition 98.<\/p>\n
Coalition 98 believes the government, which received a mandate from\nthe people through the 2024 general election, has a responsibility to\nensure protection of civil liberties, including for those who voice\ncriticism and differing opinions.<\/p>\n
In its statement, Coalition 98 outlined several demands.<\/p>\n
First, it strongly condemned violence against pro-democracy and human\nrights activists in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Second, it called on the state to take decisive action against\nperpetrators of violence.<\/p>\n
Third, it demanded law enforcement authorities, particularly the\npolice, immediately apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators without\nprejudice.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Coalition 98 also called on the administration of\nPresident Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to\nguarantee freedom of association, assembly, and expression for all\nIndonesian citizens.<\/p>\n
Lukman also urged all civil society networks and pro-democracy groups\nto consolidate efforts to ensure democracy remains on the path of the\n1998 reform movement\u2019s ideals.<\/p>\n
He stressed that civil liberties space must be continuously protected\nto prevent erosion by violence against activists.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/activist-coalition-98-condemns-acid-attack-on-human-rights-activist-1773582979", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }