Legislator condemns caustic liquid attack on KontraS activist

Jakarta — A member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Bimantoro Wiyono faction has condemned the caustic liquid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

Bimantoro characterised the incident as a form of terrorism that cannot be justified within a rule-of-law state and potentially threatens democratic space as well as the safety of human rights defenders.

Furthermore, Bimantoro asserts that violence against activists who actively voice human rights issues should be suspected as an attempt to intimidate and weaken the state’s commitment to protecting and enforcing human rights.

On the other hand, the administration of President Prabowo Subianto has positioned human rights protection and advancement as one of its important agendas as outlined in the Asta Cita programme. Consequently, the government should pay particular attention to all forms of violence against human rights defenders.

“This incident should be viewed as a form of opposition to the government’s spirit of strengthening the protection, advancement, enforcement, and fulfilment of human rights in Indonesia. The state must be present to provide protection to anyone championing humanitarian values,” Bimantoro stated.

He further noted that terrorist acts of this nature not only physically injure the victim but also risk instilling fear amongst the civil society actively monitoring justice and human rights issues.

Bimantoro called upon law enforcement to act swiftly, transparently, and professionally in investigating the case.

He stressed that the police must be capable of comprehensively revealing all parties involved, both field perpetrators and those behind the planning of the action.

“This case must be investigated thoroughly. Law enforcement must immediately identify and apprehend anyone involved, from the principal perpetrators to those who planned, ordered, or assisted in carrying out this action. Firm and transparent law enforcement is essential so there is no space for terrorist acts against activists or civil society,” he emphasised.