Kontras Activist Doused with Acid; Nurani Bangsa Movement: Do Not Normalise Terror
Jakarta — Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (the Nurani Bangsa Movement) has expressed deep concern over an act of terror and attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan (Kontras), the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence.
The Nurani Bangsa Movement, composed of prominent inter-faith figures, has urged police to conduct a thorough investigation into the terror attack and pursue legal proceedings to ensure justice for the victim and prevent impunity.
The movement has also prayed for Andrie’s swift recovery. Additionally, the state and security apparatus have been called upon to guarantee protection and security for all citizens, particularly those who have voiced critical opinions and worked to safeguard democratic quality and the fulfilment of human rights. “Critical voices from society should be viewed as an expression of love for the future of the Indonesian nation,” it stated.
Furthermore, Gerakan Nurani Bangsa expressed hope that this attack would not dampen the spirit of human rights activists and democracy advocates in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all citizens.
Prominent figures within the Nurani Bangsa Movement include Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid, Omi Komaria Nurcholish Madjid, M Quraish Shihab, K.H Mustofa Bisri, Archbishop Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, Bhante Sri Pannyavaro Mahathera, Pastor Jacky Manuputty, Amin Abdullah, Komaruddin Hidayat, Slamet Rahardjo, Dr Umar Wahid, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Karlina Rohima Supelli, Pastor Gomar Gultom, Frans Magniz Suseno SJ, A Setyo Wibowo SJ, Laode Muhammad Syarif, Ery Seda, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, and Alissa Q Wahid.
According to Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of Kontras’s Working Board, the acid attack was carried out by an unidentified assailant and resulted in serious burns across Andrie’s body. The incident occurred shortly after Andrie Yunus had completed recording a podcast at the offices of the Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (YLBHI), the Legal Aid Foundation, titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”. The recording session concluded at approximately 23:00 Western Indonesian Time. Following the acid attack, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination revealed that he had sustained burns covering 24 percent of his body.
“Based on the information we have gathered, we assess that this acid attack is an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders,” said Dimas.