Attack on Andrie Yunus Constitutes Suppression through Fear Effect
The SETARA Institute stated that the attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), must be handled seriously and transparently by the police.
Human Rights and Security Researcher at SETARA Institute, Ikhsan Yosarie, condemned the attack on Andrie Yunus, stating that such violence is intolerable. According to Ikhsan, this incident not only attacks an individual but also threatens the safety of human rights defenders who ensure checks and balances on power and advocate against various violations of citizens’ constitutional rights.
“This attack can produce extraordinary suppression of public criticism through a widespread chilling effect,” Ikhsan stated in a written statement on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Ikhsan argued that without a firm and transparent legal response, this incident sets a dangerous precedent that damages the space for civil freedoms. The attack can be interpreted as a symbolic message to the broader public that voicing criticism carries serious risks.
Ikhsan said this incident serves as an alarm to strengthen protection mechanisms for human rights defenders in Indonesia, including through strengthening the state’s commitment to ensuring freedom of expression and the safety of civil society carrying out advocacy functions. “The work of human rights defenders in Indonesia represents genuine patriotic work through their commitment and consistency in standing with the people when power does not serve public interest, and when power deviates from the principles of justice, democracy, and human rights.”
SETARA Institute Security Researcher, Merisa Dwi Juanita, stated that when fear becomes a factor limiting public participation in the public sphere, democracy loses its main foundation in the form of free and equal citizen participation. “The state’s inability to protect human rights defenders is not only a matter of security and individual safety, but also a form of allowing the destruction of democratic space that is occurring,” Merisa said.
Therefore, Merisa urged law enforcement, particularly the National Police, to immediately conduct a rapid, independent, and transparent investigation into this case. The National Police must also uncover all perpetrators and intellectual authors behind the attack. “The National Police must ensure that the case handling process is communicated openly to the public as a form of accountability to maintain public trust in law enforcement,” she said.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo revealed that President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an investigation into the attack on Andrie Yunus.
Sigit assured that the police will continue working and will regularly inform the public of every development in the field regarding this case. “This is indeed serious attention from President Prabowo,” Sigit said on Sunday, 15 March 2026, according to a statement from the Government Communications Body.
Sigit stated that he received a direct order from Prabowo to investigate the acid attack on Andrie professionally and transparently. According to Sigit, police will trace the case of the attack on Andrie Yunus through a scientific crime investigation approach.