Academics Urge Resolution of Acid Attack Case Against Andrie Yunus in General Court

A number of professors and scholars from various universities are urging that the acid attack case against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus be processed through the general court mechanism. This step is deemed crucial to ensure justice for the victim and prevent impunity practices.

Professor Sulistyowati Irianto from the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia emphasised that efforts to bring this case to the military court represent a step backwards that harms the spirit of the 1998 legal reforms.

“We condemn and reject the tendency of certain parties to push for the resolution of this case through the military court mechanism. Post-reformasi legal politics in 1998 clearly states that TNI soldiers who commit general criminal acts must be tried in the general court,” Sulistyowati said in a written statement on Wednesday (1/4).

According to Sulistyowati, military courts for perpetrators of general crimes risk ignoring victims’ rights and sending a dangerous message to the public that violence against citizens can be left unaccountable.

She added that if this tendency is allowed, Indonesia will face a bad precedent in human rights protection.

“This tendency must not be allowed because it will become a very concerning precedent and a threat to the protection of civil liberties,” she stressed.

The academics emphasised that the principle of equality before the law must be upheld without regard to the legal subject’s background.

“There should be no distinction in courts based on the legal subject for criminal acts. Andrie is one of the people, we are the people, the perpetrator must be tried in the general court,” Sulistyowati continued.

In addition to demanding the use of the general court, this group of academics also calls on the President and law enforcement officials to ensure that the entire legal process runs transparently and accountably.

For them, changes in positions in related institutions are not the main solution to this violence incident.

“This case must be processed fairly and transparently in the general court. The state’s form of responsibility is not enough with just replacing officials,” she concluded.