Activist Coalition 98 Condemns Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist
PERKUMPULAN Aktivis 98 (Activist Coalition 98) has condemned in the strongest terms a violent attack on a human rights activist that has recurred. The latest assault targeted Andre Yunus, an activist with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), who was doused with caustic acid by an unknown assailant on Thursday, 12 March.
Lukman Nurhakim, Secretary General of Activist Coalition 98, characterised the attack as brutal intimidation that threatens civil liberties in Indonesia.
“The attack, identified as an act of violent intimidation through caustic acid dousing against KontraS activist Andre Yunus, is a brutal action perpetrated by a particular group that threatens freedom of association, assembly, and expression,” he stated on Sunday, 15 March.
According to him, such acts of violence should not occur in a nation that upholds democracy and human rights values. The incident also tarnishes the journey of reform that has lasted for over two decades.
Nurhakim, an alumnus of Universitas Katolik Parahyangan Bandung, stressed that violence against human rights activists risks disrupting the long-term effort to build a civilised civil society.
“This incident tarnishes 26 years of reform and disrupts the lengthy process of realising a civilised civil society,” he said.
Beyond Lukman, the statement was supported by several Activist 98 figures, including Muradi, a professor at Universitas Padjadjaran; Heru Joko from the Viking community; and Surya Wijaya, Chair of Activist Coalition 98.
Coalition 98 believes the government, which received a mandate from the people through the 2024 general election, has a responsibility to ensure protection of civil liberties, including for those who voice criticism and differing opinions.
In its statement, Coalition 98 outlined several demands.
First, it strongly condemned violence against pro-democracy and human rights activists in Indonesia.
Second, it called on the state to take decisive action against perpetrators of violence.
Third, it demanded law enforcement authorities, particularly the police, immediately apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators without prejudice.
Furthermore, Coalition 98 also called on the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to guarantee freedom of association, assembly, and expression for all Indonesian citizens.
Lukman also urged all civil society networks and pro-democracy groups to consolidate efforts to ensure democracy remains on the path of the 1998 reform movement’s ideals.
He stressed that civil liberties space must be continuously protected to prevent erosion by violence against activists.