The Story of Dian Septi, a Female Activist Repeatedly Terrorised While Defending Human Rights

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Championing human rights (HAM), labour, and women’s rights has become the life path chosen by Dian Septi Trisnanti (41). Dian began her activism in a student organisation in Yogyakarta in 2001, when she was just 17 years old. At that time, she started to engage with issues of gender, socio-politics, democracy, and the abolition of ABRI’s dual function. She also helped build a network of young women in Yogyakarta’s campuses, which later became part of the Jaringan Nasional Perempuan Mahardhika. She has advocated for residents who were victims of evictions in Parangtritis, accompanied earthquake victims in Yogyakarta in 2006, and organised residents and female workers in Jakarta. However, being an activist has often put Dian face-to-face with various forms of threats. Over more than two decades, she claims to have experienced physical attacks, intimidation by authorities, death threats, and cyber attacks. “Often,” said Dian in a conversation with Kompas.com on Friday (8/5/2026), when asked about the intimidation or terror she has experienced. One of the most memorable incidents for Dian occurred when her organisation’s secretariat in Yogyakarta was attacked by dozens of unidentified individuals. They came carrying molotov cocktails and samurai swords. “They threw molotovs at our secretariat, they brought samurai swords and entered our secretariat,” said Dian. “In the midst of the molotov smoke, I saw several samurai swords being dragged across the floor,” she added. Dian, along with two others, was trapped inside the secretariat for about 30 minutes while hearing the attackers’ shouts. In addition to physical attacks, Dian has also experienced violence several times during demonstrations. One of them was an action in front of the Kodim DIY which ended in clashes with soldiers. “Several comrades were injured,” she said. Nevertheless, her advocacy activities continue. Dian keeps going into the field to accompany residents who are victims of evictions in Parangtritis, advocate for earthquake victims in Yogyakarta 2006, and report on alleged misuse of earthquake aid funds while working as a radio journalist. At that time, Dian did not just come to report. “I reported as a journalist, while also advocating for earthquake victims, including women, mothers, and children,” she said. In 2009, Dian moved to Jakarta. In the capital, she is active in organising residents of Tanah Merah, North Jakarta, particularly regarding maternal and child health.