KPA Condemns Attack on Andrie Yunus as Political Terror to Silence Activists
The Consortium for Agrarian Reform (KPA) has condemned the attack on Andrie Yunus, Vice-Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence. KPA Secretary-General Dewi Kartika stated that the attack is not merely ordinary criminal conduct.
For her, this assault represents a form of political terror that threatens the safety of human rights defenders and narrows democratic space in Indonesia.
“The objective is to silence the critical voices of civil society that have consistently sought improvements for Indonesia,” said Dewi in an official statement on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
According to her, Andrie is a critical activist who dares to speak the truth. For example, Andrie, together with the Civil Society Coalition, criticised the non-transparent discussion of the revision of the Military Law. Over the past five months, Andrie has also been a member of the Fact-Finding Commission (KPF) investigating the August 2025 demonstrations and civil unrest.
Dewi stated that the attack on Andrie is intended to silence all activists and anyone defending their rights. According to her, silencing activists is equivalent to the violence experienced by farmers, fishermen, indigenous communities, and various grassroots groups.
“They are fighting for rights to land, territories, and livelihoods,” she said.
KPA documented that throughout 2025, 736 people became victims of violence whilst exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights. Of this number, one person died, 19 were shot, 404 were criminalised, and 312 were assaulted.
According to Dewi, the attack on Andrie Yunus represents the face of totalitarianism under the current government regime. Practices of terror, intimidation, and violence continue to occur and are tolerated by the State. Yet the State is obliged to protect human rights and ensure the security of every citizen.
Dewi stated that the attack is a blow to the civil society movement. However, it also serves as a reminder that the struggle to defend human rights and popular sovereignty must not cease due to intimidation and violence. “People’s solidarity is the primary force to resist repressive practices and build a more just democratic future,” she said.
Dewi called upon the government to thoroughly investigate the acid attack against Andrie Yunus. Authorities must arrest and prosecute the masterminds and all perpetrators behind the assault. KPA also demanded public and regular updates on the case proceedings.
KPA further called for real and sustained protection for Andrie Yunus and all defenders of people’s rights who face threats, intimidation, and violence. It also demanded comprehensive rehabilitation for victims, including medical services, physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as compensation for all material and immaterial losses.
Andrie Yunus was splashed with acid whilst on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Central Jakarta, on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. Andrie was splashed with a corrosive solution by two unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle.
The perpetrators of the acid attack came from the opposite direction to Andrie. KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said the perpetrators splashed acid onto the front of Andrie’s body.
After being splashed with acid, Andrie collapsed onto the road whilst screaming in pain. Dimas recounted that before the incident, Andrie had just finished recording a podcast titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) in Central Jakarta at approximately 23:00 WIB Thursday night.
The corrosive chemical solution affected the right side of Andrie’s body including the eyes, face, chest, and hands. Part of the victim’s clothing also melted from the acid contact.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra suspected the attack on Andrie Yunus was organised. Yusril stated that the pattern of the attack showed indications of organised planning. Therefore, law enforcement must not stop at the perpetrators on the ground.
“The pattern of the attack appears planned and organised so that the investigation of this incident must not stop at the level of executors, but must uncover the intellectual architects behind it,” said Yusril in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.
For this reason, Yusril requested law enforcement authorities, particularly the Indonesian National Police, to thoroughly investigate the case. This should not merely identify the perpetrators and their motives, but also uncover who is behind the incident.