The acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission\nfor Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), in the\nSalemba area of Central Jakarta on the morning of 13 March, is\nconsidered more than a simple criminal act but rather a dangerous signal\nfor the safety of human rights defenders and the state of civil space in\nIndonesia. The incident is viewed as a test of the state\u2019s commitment to\nupholding the principles of the rule of law.<\/p>\n
Rizky Argama, Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Policy\nStudies Indonesia (PSHK), issued a strong condemnation of the attack.\n\u201cPSHK and the Indonesian Jentera School of Law strongly condemn the acid\nattack against Andrie Yunus, who is also an alumnus of the Indonesian\nJentera School of Law,\u201d Rizky stated.<\/p>\n
The attack left Andrie Yunus with serious burns on multiple parts of\nhis body, including his face and eyes. Rizky emphasised that such\nviolence cannot be tolerated and must be thoroughly investigated by law\nenforcement authorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis act of violence is intolerable and must be immediately and\nthoroughly investigated by law enforcement,\u201d Rizky said.<\/p>\n
Given the background of the victim\u2019s human rights advocacy work,\nRizky argued that the attack cannot be viewed as an ordinary crime. He\nwarned that the incident could pose a threat to citizens\u2019 freedom of\nexpression and their ability to hold power accountable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the context of human rights defence and public advocacy work\ncarried out by the victim, this incident must also be seen as a threat\nto civil space and to the principle of the rule of law that guarantees\ncitizens\u2019 freedom to express their views,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Rizky also highlighted the concerning trend of shrinking civil space\nin recent years. He noted that human rights defenders, journalists,\nacademics, and civil society groups increasingly face intimidation,\ncriminalisation, and violence when carrying out public advocacy\nwork.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe attack on Andrie Yunus reinforces concerns that human rights\ndefence work faces increasingly serious security risks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
From a rule of law perspective, Rizky stressed that this situation\ncannot be allowed to continue. The state has a constitutional obligation\nto ensure that every citizen can exercise their civil and political\nrights safely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen human rights defenders can be brutally attacked in public\nspaces without adequate protection, what is at stake is not merely\nindividual safety but the integrity of the democratic system and public\ntrust in law enforcement,\u201d he emphasised.<\/p>\n
As an organisation that has long advocated for legal reform, PSHK and\nthe Indonesian Jentera School of Law consider the protection of human\nrights defenders to be a crucial component of strengthening the rule of\nlaw in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirm and transparent law enforcement in this case is an important\ntest of the state\u2019s commitment to protecting civil liberties,\u201d said\nRizky.<\/p>\n
PSHK and the Indonesian Jentera School of Law called on law\nenforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate the case, including\napprehending the perpetrators and identifying those behind the attack.\nThey also requested that the investigation be conducted transparently\nand accountably to prevent impunity.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, both institutions called on the Witness and Victim\nProtection Agency (LPSK) to provide maximum protection to the victim and\nurged the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to fulfil its\nmandate to protect human rights defenders in accordance with applicable\nregulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttacks on human rights defenders must not be normalised in a state\nthat upholds the principles of democracy and the rule of law. The state\nmust demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting civil space,\u201d said\nRizky.<\/p>\n
PSHK and the Indonesian Jentera School of Law also expressed\nsolidarity with Andrie Yunus, his family, and all elements of civil\nsociety that continue to struggle for justice and respect for human\nrights in Indonesia.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pshk-acid-attack-on-andrie-yunus-constitutes-serious-threat-to-rule-of-law-1773417262", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }