Coordinating Minister Yusril Suspects Attack on Kontras Activist Was Organised

The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, suspects the attack on Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras), was organised.

Yusril stated that the pattern of the attack indicates evidence of organised planning. Therefore, the law enforcement process must not stop at the level of perpetrators in the field but must also identify the intellectual authors behind it.

“The pattern of attack that occurred appears to be planned and organised, so the disclosure of this incident should not stop at the executor level, but must also uncover the intellectual actors behind it,” Yusril said in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2025.

For this reason, Yusril requested law enforcement officials, particularly the National Police (Polri), to investigate the case thoroughly. It is not merely about finding the perpetrators and their motives, but also revealing who is behind the incident.

“I request law enforcement officials, particularly Polri, to ensure a thorough investigation up to the intellectual actor, not just the perpetrators of the attack in the field,” he said.

Yusril revealed that he has directly coordinated with the Metro Jaya Police Chief and the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate who are jointly investigating the case. “At present they are still conducting in-depth investigations, so they cannot yet disclose anything to the public,” he said.

On the other hand, Yusril also appealed to the public to await the results of the police investigation so that the incident can be revealed clearly and objectively.

“I urge the public to await the results of the police investigation so that this matter becomes crystal clear. Violence like this must not be tolerated. Whoever and whatever the motive of the perpetrators, they must be prosecuted according to applicable law,” he said.

Yusril also affirmed that President Prabowo Subianto has a high commitment to upholding the law, democracy, and human rights. Therefore, the government will never tolerate violence in any form, whether against activists or anyone else, even if they disagree or are at odds with the government.

“As you can see, the President also invited those who often disagree with the government to engage in open dialogue at the Palace. The President will not tolerate violence against activists or anyone else,” he said.

Yusril called the acid attack on Kontras activists an assault on democratic values and the enforcement of human rights in Indonesia. He noted that human rights activists work for the interests of the people and the country because the enforcement of human rights and democracy is a constitutional mandate.

According to Yusril, in a democratic state, every party must uphold a mutual respect for different perspectives. He emphasised that violence against democracy and human rights activists cannot be justified under any circumstances.

“Attacking democracy and human rights activists, even if you disagree with them, still cannot be justified,” Yusril said.