Poetry Readings and Comedians Support Andrie Yunus in Yogyakarta
Civil society movements in Yogyakarta held political speeches condemning the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), at the Indonesian Islamic University Cik Di Tiro campus on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Solidarity with Andrie, coming from individuals and representatives of various civil society organisations, continued to grow and expand through creative means. Two days earlier, Suara Ibu Indonesia held a solidarity action supporting Andrie by distributing red roses to participants. At UII Cik Di Tiro, the movement involved dozens of artists, comedians, activists, journalists, lecturers, online motorcycle taxi drivers, and students. They delivered speeches in various ways including poetry readings, singing, and stand-up comedy.
Andrie was attacked with acid by two unknown individuals who arrived on a motorcycle from the opposite direction whilst he was on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Central Jakarta, on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026.
Artist Naomi Srikandi read a poem by poet W.S. Rendra entitled “Sajak Orang Kepanasan” (Poem of the Overheated), which depicts the contrast between the conditions of poor and oppressed people with those who have power and live lavishly. “This poem is for those in power who feel victorious because they poured acid on Andrie,” Naomi said.
Artist Laksmi Shitaresmi performed an art piece symbolising someone being silenced. Red tape covered her mouth. She carried a white pot containing white roses. Laksmi distributed one by one the white roses to solidarity action participants.
Comedian Eko Kuswanto, commonly known as Dodok, used his characteristic jokes to criticise police for often being slow in handling cases of attacks on activists. Musician Benang Merah performed the song “Sajak Suara” (Voice Poem) composed by Fajar Merah, son of activist Wiji Thukul, which called for continued struggle.
The Foundation for Justice and Peace Indonesia (YKPI) stated that the acid attack on Andrie added to a long list of silencing actions, arrests, and torture of activists in Indonesia.
YKPI, as a civil society organisation that upholds values of justice and peace in Indonesia, expressed deep concern and solidarity with Andrie and all civil society in Indonesia.
According to Kristina, the acid attack is a cruel act that poses a high risk of taking someone’s life. If such an act is carried out in an organised manner and involves state apparatus, then the incident is not merely attempted murder, but potentially constitutes a human rights violation. “The wounds suffered by Andrie Yunus are wounds to democracy in Indonesia, and wounds to all of us,” said YKPI Vice Chairperson Kristina Viri.
As a human rights defender, Andrie is an important actor who should receive protection in a democratic state.
The Constitution guarantees the right to associate, assemble, and express opinions. The Constitutional Court’s decision Number 82/PUU-XI/2013 in judicial consideration number 3.17 confirms that the freedom to associate, assemble, and express opinions is one of the most important rights in a democratic state.
According to Viri, the state should guarantee protection for human rights defenders. The state is obliged to ensure every citizen can express their opinions, including criticism of the government.
The incident demonstrates the state’s failure in providing protection to its citizens and simultaneously its failure in guaranteeing freedom of expression and the right to voice opinions. “If critical people are arrested, imprisoned, or even tortured, then democracy will lose its soul,” Viri said.
YKPI called on all activists and civil society to continue to monitor this case and protect each other’s safety. The attack on Andrie is an indicator that the alarm for democracy’s deterioration in Indonesia is growing stronger. Violence against human rights defenders aims to spread fear, not only to Andrie and KontraS, but also to the broader public. Therefore, solidarity and collective vigilance become important to strengthen security mechanisms for activists and journalists wherever they are.
YKPI rejects all forms of violence against human rights defenders and civil society. They also urged the state to ensure the victim’s recovery both physically and psychologically, including guaranteeing medical treatment costs and other recovery expenses.
Furthermore, they urged the National Commission on Human Rights to form an investigation team to thoroughly investigate the incident, including investigating the possible involvement of state apparatus.
YKPI also requested law enforcement apparatus to thoroughly investigate the acid attack on Andrie Yunus transparently and accountably. Apparatus must not narrow down or treat this case as an ordinary criminal act, given the strong indication of an attack on a human rights defender and threat to democracy in Indonesia.
YKPI also urged Parliament and the government to immediately strengthen legal instruments for protecting human rights defenders through the drafting and enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Law Bill, and to ensure the availability of adequate protection mechanisms and facilities for human rights defenders. This step is the state’s responsibility in fulfilling its commitment to various human rights instruments that have been ratified, whilst also guaranteeing real protection for human rights workers in Indonesia.
Director of the Institute for Islamic and Social Studies Foundation (LKiS), Tri Noviana, stated that as a civil society organisation committed to justice, democracy, and human rights, LKiS condemns all forms of terror, intimidation, and violence against Andrie as a human rights defender. Tri urged law enforcement apparatus to investigate the case quickly, transparently, independently, and without discrimination. All perpetrators including the intellectual masterminds behind the attack must be punished accordingly.