Minister for Human Rights Condemns Caustic Soda Attack on KontraS Activist: Thuggery Will Not Be Tolerated

Indonesia’s Minister for Human Rights Natalius Pigai has condemned the caustic soda attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS). Pigai emphasised that the state will not tolerate acts of thuggery and violence.

“I have condemned this and will not allow thuggery to exist in this country. This is a peaceful and safe state, and it must never engage in violence, especially not caustic soda attacks on all Indonesian citizens,” Pigai said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday (13 March 2026).

Pigai stated that differences of opinion in democracy do not justify violence. He affirmed that the government is deeply concerned about this incident.

“We are experiencing a surplus of democracy, but violence must never occur against anyone, including activists and civil society. This nation is strong because there is a civil society community. They serve as a check and balance against all aspects of national and state life,” he said.

“Therefore, on behalf of the government, I am concerned about this event, and it must never happen again,” he continued.

Pigai urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack on Andrie. Authorities, he added, must prioritise justice for the victim and his family.

“I call on the police to investigate thoroughly so that we can achieve a sense of justice for them and the victim’s family,” he stated.

Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of KontraS’s Board of Trustees, explained that the alleged caustic soda attack on Andrie Yunus occurred at 11 p.m. on Thursday (12 March). He said Andrie was initially conducting a podcast at the office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) titled ‘Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia’.

Andrie Yunus was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination results showed that Andrie sustained burns covering 24 percent of his body.

“Based on the information we have gathered, we believe that this caustic soda attack represents an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders. This may be in violation of Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, and Regulation of the National Commission for Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2015 concerning Procedures for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” Dimas explained.