Indonesia\u2019s Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and\nCorrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the acid attack against\nAndrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared\nand Victims of Violence (Kontras), represents an assault on democratic\nvalues and the enforcement of human rights in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe acid attack against Andrie Yunus from Kontras is an attack on\ndemocracy itself. Human rights activists work for the interests of the\npeople and the nation, as the enforcement of human rights and democracy\nis a constitutional mandate,\u201d Yusril said in a written statement in\nJakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.<\/p>\n
According to Yusril, in a democratic state every party must uphold\nmutual respect for differing viewpoints. He emphasised that violence\nagainst democracy and human rights activists cannot be justified under\nany circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttacking democracy and human rights activists, even if we disagree\nwith them, cannot be justified. In democracy, everyone should adhere to\nthe principle of respecting differences and diversity because all act\nfor the common good, not for personal interests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril also called on law enforcement, particularly the National\nPolice (Polri), to investigate the case thoroughly. Not only to identify\nperpetrators and motives, but also to uncover who orchestrated the\nincident.<\/p>\n
\u201cI call on law enforcement, particularly Polri, to ensure thorough\ninvestigation all the way to the intellectual architects, not just the\nperpetrators who carried out the attack in the field,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia\n(Komnas HAM) condemned the acid attack against Andrie Yunus by unknown\npersons.<\/p>\n
The attack occurred shortly after Andrie Yunus completed recording a\npodcast at the offices of the Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI)\ntitled \u201cRemilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia\u201d which\nconcluded on Thursday, 12 March 2026 at approximately 23.00 Western\nIndonesian Time. As a result of the attack, Andrie sustained burns\ncovering 24 per cent of his body, particularly on both hands, face,\nchest and eye areas.<\/p>\n
Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah stated that the attack\nconstitutes a violation of the Right to Security guaranteed under\nArticle 28G of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution and Articles 28-35 of\nLaw Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights. These articles affirm\nthat every person has the right to be protected physically and\npsychologically, including protection of personal security, family,\nhonour, dignity and property.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrie Yunus\u2019s activities as a member of Kontras and the Advocacy\nTeam for Democracy (TAUD), actively taking a critical stance in human\nrights defence work, make the attack he received strongly suspected to\nbe part of an attack directed against Human Rights Defenders,\u201d said Anis\nin her official statement on 13 March 2026.<\/p>\n
Anis stated that Komnas HAM directly visited the victim\u2019s family\naccompanying Andrie at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Central\nJakarta. Komnas HAM also urged police to conduct investigation and\nprosecution independently, quickly, transparently and accountably.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Komnas HAM requested the Witness and Victim Protection\nAgency (LPSK) to provide protection access to victims and those\nconnected with the attack if required.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/yusril-calls-for-investigation-into-intellectual-architects-of-attack-on-human-rights-activist-1773449541", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }