Indonesia Leads UN Human Rights Council, Yet Human Rights Activist Attacked with Acid

JAKARTA – A commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), Sondang Frishka, highlighted the paradox occurring as Indonesia assumes the presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

At the same time, a human rights activist, Andrie Yunus, from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), experienced violence in the form of an acid attack.

Sondang emphasised that Indonesia’s position as president of the UN Human Rights Council carries significant responsibility to ensure that UN member states adhere to human rights principles, including taking firm action against human rights violations within the country.

Member of the National Human Rights Commission Sri Agustini added that states are obligated to provide protection to victims and witnesses in accordance with Law Number 31 of 2014 concerning the Protection of Witnesses and Victims.

“Internationally, Indonesia is also bound by the principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998, which guarantees every person’s right to advocate for and protect human rights without threat or violence,” Sri stated.

The acid attack occurred after Andrie finished recording a podcast at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office with the title “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”.

The recording session concluded at approximately 23:00 West Indonesian Standard Time, before Andrie was attacked on Salemba I Street, Tamang, Central Jakarta.