JAKARTA \u2014 The caustic acid attack on Kontras activist Andrie Yunus\nrepresents a violation of citizens\u2019 right to safety guaranteed by the\nstate. The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has urged the\nIndonesian National Police (Polri) to investigate the case, identify the\nperpetrators, and bring them before the law. Komnas HAM has also\nrecommended that the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) provide\nprotection to the victim and witnesses related to the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe attack experienced by Andrie Yunus is a violation of the right\nto safety of citizens guaranteed by the state,\u201d said Komnas HAM\nChairwoman Anis Hidayah in a press statement on Saturday (14 March\n2026). Citizens\u2019 right to security is protected under Article 28G of the\n1945 Constitution and Articles 28 to 35 of Law No.\u00a039\/1999 on Human\nRights.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery person has the right to be protected physically and\npsychologically, including protection of their person, family, honour,\ndignity, and property,\u201d Anis stated. The attack on Andrie Yunus is\nsuspected to have had a specific motive. Given Yunus\u2019s activities as an\nactivist and member of Kontras and the Advocacy Team for Democracy\n(TAUD), which have consistently advocated for human rights defence in\nIndonesia, the assault appears targeted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is strong reason to suspect that the attack is part of\nassaults directed at human rights defence work carried out by him,\u201d Anis\nsaid. Komnas HAM has requested that Polri conduct investigation and\nprosecution to identify the perpetrators and the precise motive for the\nattack, and bring those responsible before the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police should conduct investigation and prosecution in an\nindependent, prompt, transparent, and accountable manner in handling\nthis case,\u201d Anis stated. \u201cAnd the Witness and Victim Protection Agency\nshould provide protection to the victim and parties related to the\nassault if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Komnas HAM\u2019s team has already conducted preliminary investigation and\nsought statements. \u201cKomnas HAM has directly visited the victim\u2019s family\nat the hospital, where they are accompanying the victim undergoing\nmedical treatment for the injuries sustained from the attack,\u201d Anis\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Andrie Yunus is Deputy Coordinator of Kontras. On the evening of\nThursday (12 March 2026), he was attacked with caustic acid. The\nincident occurred after Yunus returned home from recording a podcast at\nthe Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Central Jakarta.\nCCTV footage shows that two assailants on a motorcycle carried out the\ncaustic acid attack. From the assault, Andrie Yunus sustained 24 per\ncent burns across his body, with caustic acid striking his right and\nleft hands, face, chest, and eyes.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/caustic-acid-attack-constitutes-violation-of-citizens-right-to-safety-1773456979", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }