Human Rights Minister Condemns Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist

Jakarta – Indonesia’s Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has strongly condemned the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), and has called on law enforcement to immediately investigate the perpetrators and motives behind the incident.

Pigai stated that acts of violence against human rights activists cannot be justified and must be addressed through objective legal processes to ensure justice for the victim.

“As Human Rights Minister, I strongly condemn the acid attack. I call on law enforcement to immediately search for the perpetrators and thoroughly investigate the motive behind this incident, and to ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted objectively so that justice for the victim can be realised,” Pigai said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

The incident occurred after Andrie Yunus had completed a podcast recording session at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

According to circulating reports, the victim sustained burn injuries on several parts of his body as a result of the attack and is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Pigai stressed that the state has a duty to protect every citizen from various forms of violence that threaten the safety and honour of individuals.

“The state prohibits all forms of violence or acts that contravene the law and attack the individuals or honour of citizens,” he said.

According to him, a swift response from law enforcement is urgently needed to identify the perpetrators and to ensure that the legal enforcement process runs transparently and accountably.

“A swift reaction from law enforcement is urgently needed at this time,” said Pigai.

The Ministry of Human Rights hopes that law enforcement can quickly identify the perpetrators and motive behind the incident, thereby providing legal certainty whilst safeguarding human rights for all citizens.