Parliament Calls on Police to Investigate Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist
The Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the Indonesian Parliament, Andreas Hugo Pareira, has strongly condemned the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), by unknown assailants in Central Jakarta on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026.
Andreas characterised the attack as an act of terror against critical voices, particularly human rights defenders. He cited several regulations guaranteeing protection for human rights defenders, including Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, Article 66 of Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, and the National Human Rights Commission Regulation No. 5 of 2015 on Procedures for Protecting Human Rights Defenders.
“Law enforcement officials must immediately conduct an investigation to uncover the perpetrators and the motive behind this brutal and inhumane attack,” Andreas stated in a written statement to media on Friday, 13 March 2026.
The PDI Perjuangan politician also questioned the capability of authorities if the case remained unsolved. “It is pointless for this country to have a police force if it cannot find and reveal the perpetrator’s motives,” he said.
Similar condemnation was issued by the Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, who affirmed he had condemned the act and demanded law enforcement conduct a thorough investigation. “I have already condemned this action and requested authorities to investigate thoroughly,” Pigai stated in a message to media on Friday, 13 March 2026.
Calls for investigation also came from the Regional Leadership Council of the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI) in Jakarta. GMNI Jakarta’s Chair, Deodatus Sunda Se, requested that the Indonesian National Police not only apprehend those who carried out the attack but also uncover the intellectual architects behind it.
“We urge the Police Chief to conduct a thorough investigation of the intellectual actors within 72 hours. The police must not only arrest the field executors but also expose the intellectual daders behind this terror,” stated Deodatus, commonly known as Dendy.
He suggested that without significant progress in the investigation, the public would be justified in suspecting negligence by law enforcement. GMNI also called on President Prabowo Subianto to ensure civil liberties remained protected.
“The GMNI Regional Council in Jakarta will continue to monitor this case. Terror against one activist is terror against the entire people’s movement,” Dendy added.
Condemnation was also expressed by the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI). PGI’s General Chair, Jacklevyn Manuputty, stated that attacks on human rights defenders cannot be justified under any circumstances.
“Violence of this kind undermines the foundations of democracy, threatens the space for civil liberties, and spreads fear throughout society,” Jacklevyn said in a written statement.
The PGI urged the government to order the Indonesian National Police to conduct a transparent, swift, and accountable investigation. The organisation also called on the government to guarantee protection for human rights activists and provide rehabilitation for the victim.
According to KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya, the attack occurred when Andrie was approached by two unknown assailants riding a motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I–Talang in Central Jakarta.
Prior to the incident, Andrie had just finished recording a podcast titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the offices of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) in Central Jakarta at approximately 23:00. He subsequently stopped at a petrol station in the Cikini area before continuing his journey on a motorcycle.
At approximately 23:37, two men believed to be male on a scooter approached Andrie from the opposite direction and sprayed a corrosive chemical substance at him.
The liquid struck the right side of Andrie’s body, including his eyes, face, chest, and hands. “The victim immediately screamed in pain and dropped his motorcycle,” Dimas explained.
Some of the victim’s clothing even melted from the chemical. According to medical examination, Andrie sustained serious burns covering approximately 24 per cent of his body.
As they fled, the perpetrators allegedly dropped a stainless steel glass that had been used to carry the liquid. They then fled in the direction of Jalan Salemba Raya.
Andrie Yunus is currently receiving intensive treatment at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta.