Komnas HAM Alumni Forum: Acid Attack Poses Serious Threat to Democracy

Palu — A forum of former commissioners from the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has stated that the crime of throwing caustic acid at Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), constitutes a serious threat to democracy.

“The incident that occurred on Thursday, 12 March 2026 is a brutal act that caused burn injuries to the victim’s body. This case must be investigated thoroughly,” said the forum’s spokesperson, Ridha Saleh, in a written statement received in Palu on Saturday.

He stated that such acts of violence cannot be justified under any circumstances and represent a form of terror demanding a swift, transparent, and comprehensive response from law enforcement authorities.

The forum expressed regret that such a brutal attack occurred during the holy month of Ramadhan, a period that should serve as a space for reflection, peace, and respect for human dignity. This violence undermines human values whilst demonstrating that suppression of critical voices remains a genuine problem in the country.

“We view the attack on Andrie Yunus as inseparable from his role as a human rights defender currently actively voicing various issues, such as opposition to the Military Law and various other human rights violations. Therefore, this act must be understood as an attack on civil liberties and democracy,” he stated.

According to the forum, the state must demonstrate genuine commitment to law enforcement and protection of human rights defenders. The state must transparently disclose the entire case handling process, including protective measures for citizens actively voicing critical opinions.

The Komnas HAM alumni forum urged authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and to uncover all parties involved, including the intellectual actors behind the attack.

“Law enforcement cannot stop at field perpetrators; it must trace the chain of command and the motives behind it,” said Ridha.

He called on the state to take concrete steps to guarantee the safety of Andrie Yunus and other human rights defenders who have continually faced various intimidations and violence.

“Protection is not merely formal statements. It must be realised through mechanisms that are concrete, measurable, and sustainable,” he said.