MP: Komnas HAM must conclude acid splashing case
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A member of the House of Representatives Commission XIII, Mafirion, is urging the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to promptly conclude whether the acid splashing incident targeting the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus, constitutes a human rights violation or not.
He assesses the acid splashing act as more than mere ordinary criminal offence, but rather a form of violence that directly deprives the victim of their fundamental rights as a human being. In his view, this case strongly qualifies as a human rights violation.
“This incident clearly violates the right to safe living, the right to be free from torture, and the right to personal protection. This is not merely criminality, but has entered the category of human rights violation,” said Mafirion in his statement in Jakarta on Monday.
According to him, Komnas HAM must promptly make a conclusion so that law enforcement obtains a strong reference based on human rights. If Komnas HAM does not act swiftly, this case risks being positioned as an ordinary criminal offence, not a serious human rights violation.
This lack of clarity in stance, in his opinion, also has the potential to weaken efforts to enforce justice and protect human rights defenders in Indonesia.
“Komnas HAM must not hesitate to promptly conclude the Andrie Yunus case. This is important to ensure that the state is present and serious in protecting human rights activists,” he stated.
Mafirion explained that if this case is not promptly concluded, it will give rise to several serious impacts, such as weakening the victim’s position because the handling will only be viewed as an ordinary criminal case without a comprehensive human rights protection approach.
Additionally, it obscures the motive and intellectual actors, making it difficult to uncover potential involvement of certain parties, including the possibility of actors behind the scenes.
“We are also concerned that if it is not promptly concluded, it will create a chilling effect for other activists and human rights defenders, which can hinder advocacy work. Public trust in the state, particularly in its commitment to human rights enforcement, will also decline,” he revealed.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the determination of an incident holds very important and strategic meaning.
“This determination is not merely a label, but becomes the legal and moral basis to ensure more serious, comprehensive, and just handling,” said Mafirion.
He detailed that the importance of determination is to guarantee maximum protection for the victim, including physical, psychological, and social recovery. Additionally, classifying it as a human rights violation can drive the full disclosure of the truth, including the possibility of masterminds or intellectual actors.
Mafirion called on Komnas HAM to promptly take proactive and bold steps in concluding this case.
“The state must not lose to violence. The firmness of Komnas HAM is greatly needed so that justice is not only enforced but also felt,” he concluded.