UN Condemns Acid Attack on Indonesian Human Rights Activist Andrie Yunus

Several UN human rights officials have expressed serious concern over the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), and have called for the perpetrators to be apprehended.

“Deeply concerned about the horrific acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS),” according to a statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, quoted via the X social media account @UNHumanRights on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

In the statement, Türk emphasised that whoever commits such cowardly violence must be held accountable for their actions. He underscored that human rights defenders, such as Andrie, play a crucial role in highlighting matters of public concern and must therefore be protected.

“Human rights defenders must be protected in carrying out their important role, and must be able to highlight issues of public concern without fear,” the UN Commissioner stated.

Similarly, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor expressed deep concern over the terror act against Andrie, which caused burns across his body. “I call upon Indonesian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this horrifying attack,” Lawlor said, also via X social media.

She also affirmed that impunity in cases of violence against human rights defenders is absolutely unacceptable.

KontraS activist Andrie Yunus was splashed with acid by an unknown individual whilst travelling in central Jakarta on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. The incident occurred after Andrie had finished participating in a podcast recording session at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

Based on available information, the victim sustained burn injuries on several parts of his body from the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai condemned the violent act against the KontraS activist and asserted that the state must not permit acts of thuggery against anyone, including human rights defenders. On behalf of the government, Pigai also called on police to thoroughly investigate the case so that the perpetrators can be prosecuted legally, and so that the victim and his family can obtain a sense of justice.