Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist Threatens Indonesia's UN Rights Council Presidency
Deputy Minister for Human Rights Mugiyanto stated that an acid attack against KontraS Vice Coordinator Andrie Yunus has significantly undermined Indonesia’s position as President of the UN Human Rights Council.
Mugiyanto acknowledged that the acid attack incident has attracted attention from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor.
“This incident significantly affects Indonesia’s positioning as a member of the UN Human Rights Council and as President of the UN Human Rights Council,” Mugiyanto said in a written statement on Sunday, 15 March.
Mugiyanto called upon the Indonesian National Police to expedite investigation of the acid attack to identify both the perpetrators and the masterminds behind the attack. According to him, legal processes must be carried out to ensure that incidents of intimidation, terror and violence against human rights defenders or anyone else do not continue.
Mugiyanto expressed hope that security authorities would not treat the incident as a minor matter, as it could damage Indonesia’s national credibility.
“This is extremely urgent for the police to investigate, so that all of us, including the government, have certainty and no speculation or baseless narratives emerge that ultimately undermine the government’s commitment to human rights protection and promotion,” he said.
Mugiyanto stated that the government is committed to human rights protection and promotion, including the right to freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly as stipulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which was ratified through Law Number 12 of 2005.
He noted that implementing this commitment means respecting critical voices and criticism from all elements of society as a checks and balances mechanism for improving national life and governance.
“Once again, the Ministry of Human Rights extends deep sympathy and solidarity to Andrie Yunus and wishes him a speedy recovery with the best medical care from the hospital. The Ministry of Human Rights ensures that the state will cover all medical treatment and recovery costs,” Mugiyanto said.
Andrie Yunus became a victim of an acid attack by unidentified perpetrators that resulted in serious injuries across his body, particularly on both hands, face, chest and eyes.
The incident occurred shortly after Andrie completed recording a podcast at the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at around 11:00 PM on Thursday, 12 March.
Following the incident, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination revealed that Andrie sustained burns covering 24 per cent of his body. His right eye suffered the most serious damage.