Parliament Urges Authorities to Thoroughly Investigate Perpetrators of Acid Attack on KontraS Activist Andrie Yunus

Jakarta — Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the Indonesian Parliament, Andreas Hugo Pareira, has strongly condemned the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), perpetrated by unknown assailants.

As a result of the acid attack, Andrie sustained severe injuries across his body, particularly on his right and left hands, face, chest, and eyes.

The incident occurred immediately after Andrie Yunus finished recording a podcast at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia,” which concluded around 23:00 local time.

Following the incident, Andrie Yunus was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examinations revealed he sustained 24% burn injuries.

Commenting on the incident, Andreas Hugo Pareira, a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), stated firmly that the acid attack constituted an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders. He referenced Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, Article 66 of Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, and the National Commission on Human Rights’ Regulation No. 5 of 2015 on Procedures for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

“The police authorities must immediately conduct an investigation to reveal the perpetrators and the motives behind this brutally inhumane attack,” stated Andreas.

Andreas further commented that it would be futile for the state to have police forces if they were unable to identify and uncover the perpetrators’ motives.