Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist Andrie Yunus Condemned, Police Urged to Investigate Swiftly
JAKARTA – Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras), was attacked with corrosive liquid on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026.
The attack resulted in severe chemical burns to his right and left hands, face, chest and eyes. He is currently undergoing intensive medical treatment.
According to a Kontras press statement issued on Friday, 14 March 2026, Andrie was attacked whilst returning home from recording a podcast entitled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
The attack poses a serious threat to his life, as the burns cover 24 per cent of his body according to the initial diagnosis by doctors at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Currently, six specialist doctors are treating Andrie, including eye specialists, otolaryngologists, orthopaedic specialists, thoracic specialists, internal medicine specialists, and dermatologists.
“The victim is currently awaiting medical procedures including eye surgery to replace the membrane tissue with amnion grafts or transplants under local anaesthesia,” said Kontras Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya.
Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai strongly condemned the attack and urged law enforcement to arrest the perpetrator immediately.
“And investigate thoroughly what the motive behind this incident was, and ensure the perpetrator is prosecuted objectively so that justice for the victim can be realised,” said Pigai.
Pigai emphasised that the state has an obligation to protect its citizens from all forms of violence and threats to individual safety.
“A rapid response from law enforcement is very much needed at this time,” he said.
Similar support came from Martin Daniel Tumbelaka, a member of Commission II of the House of Representatives. He stressed that such violent acts cannot be justified in a constitutional state such as Indonesia.
“We certainly condemn acts of violence like this. Whoever the perpetrator is must be identified and prosecuted according to applicable law,” said Martin.
He urged law enforcement to move quickly to investigate the case thoroughly to prevent terror and anxiety among the public. According to him, law enforcement must also conduct the investigation transparently.
“Law enforcement must work professionally and objectively. Cases like this must be thoroughly investigated to prevent recurrence.”