Indonesia\u2019s Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration\nand Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has condemned the caustic acid\nattack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus as an assault on Indonesia\u2019s\ndemocratic values and human rights enforcement.<\/p>\n
Yusril stated that the perpetrators must be apprehended, and\ninvestigation must extend to identify any intellectual architects behind\nthe attack. He emphasised that human rights activists work in the\ninterests of the people and the nation, as human rights enforcement and\ndemocracy represent a constitutional mandate.<\/p>\n
In a statement released in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March, Yusril\nstressed that in a democratic state, all parties must uphold mutual\nrespect for differing viewpoints. Violence against democracy and human\nrights activists cannot be justified under any circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn democracy, everyone should adhere to the principle of respecting\ndifferences and diversity because all act for the common interest, not\nfor personal interests,\u201d Yusril stated.<\/p>\n
Yusril urged law enforcement authorities, particularly the Indonesian\nNational Police (Polri), to investigate the case thoroughly not merely\nto identify the perpetrators and their motives, but also to uncover\nthose orchestrating the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe investigation must extend to the intellectual architects, not\nmerely the perpetrators on the ground,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril noted that the pattern of attack suggested organised planning,\nmeaning the legal process cannot halt at the level of street-level\nperpetrators. He disclosed that he has coordinated directly with police\nregarding the investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are currently conducting further investigation and are unable\nto disclose anything to the public at this stage,\u201d Yusril said.<\/p>\n
He urged the public to await the results of the police investigation\nso that the incident can be clearly and objectively revealed.<\/p>\n
Yusril reaffirmed that President Prabowo Subianto maintains a strong\ncommitment to upholding law, democracy and human rights. Consequently,\nthe government will not tolerate violence in any form, whether against\nactivists or anyone else, even if they hold differing or opposing views\nto the government.<\/p>\n
Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons\nand Victims of Violence (KontraS), was attacked with caustic acid in\ncentral Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March evening. KontraS Coordinator Dimas\nBagus Arya stated the incident occurred after Andrie Yunus attended a\npodcast event titled \u201cRemilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia\u201d\nat the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office at approximately\n23:00 Western Indonesian Time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was attacked with caustic acid by unknown persons, resulting in\nserious injuries throughout his body, particularly on both hands, face,\nchest and eye areas,\u201d Dimas stated in a written statement on Friday, 13\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment.\nMedical examination showed he sustained caustic burns covering 24 per\ncent of his body.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/yusril-caustic-acid-attack-on-kontras-activist-is-an-assault-on-democracy-1773417268", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }