Parliament Urges Acid Attack Case Against Andrie Yunus to Be Classified as Human Rights Violation
A member of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Mafirion, has urged the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to swiftly issue a firm conclusion regarding the acid attack case that befell Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus. Mafirion assessed that the institution’s sluggishness risks obscuring indications of a human rights violation, reducing it to ordinary criminality.
According to Mafirion, the incident that struck the humanitarian activist clearly violates the right to safe living, the right to be free from torture, and the right to personal protection.
“This is not mere criminality, but has entered the category of human rights violation. Komnas HAM must not hesitate to promptly make a conclusion to ensure the state is present in protecting activists,” said Mafirion in Jakarta on Friday (27/3/2026).
This PKB legislator explained that there are strong indications the attack is closely related to the victim’s activities, which often voice criticism of state policies. If Komnas HAM does not act soon, it is feared to create a chilling effect or a fear effect that paralyses advocacy work in Indonesia.
Mafirion emphasised that brutal actions by rogue state apparatus against citizens due to their intellectual activities cannot be viewed merely as general criminality.
“We are concerned that if not concluded promptly, this will create a fear effect for other human rights defenders. Designating it as a human rights violation is not just a label, but a legal and moral basis to ensure comprehensive victim recovery,” he said.
Furthermore, Mafirion warned of a domino effect if the case’s status remains pending. The lack of clarity in legal reference from Komnas HAM is seen as potentially weakening the victim’s position and breaking the chain of uncovering the intellectual actors behind the scenes.
He urged Komnas HAM to take proactive and bold steps so that public trust in Indonesia’s human rights enforcement commitment does not decline.
“The state must not lose to violence. Komnas HAM’s firmness is very much needed so that justice is not only enforced but also felt by society. Handling must start from the courage to conclude that this is a real human rights violation,” Mafirion concluded.
Previously, Komnas HAM Commissioner Pramono Ubaid Tathowi stated that the incident of dousing with strong acid chemical (sulphuric acid) against Andrie Yunus cannot yet be concluded as a serious human rights violation or not. He said the result would be decided after the process of gathering statements and information from various parties is completed.
“That conclusion on whether this is proven as a human rights violation or not will be decided by us after the process of gathering statements, information, data from various parties is completed,” said Pramono when met at RSCM, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (26/3/2026).
Not only the violation category, Pramono also explained that Komnas HAM cannot yet conclude which court should handle this case.
“Regarding which court is better to handle it, of course Komnas HAM cannot yet draw a conclusion,” he added.