Yogyakarta Solidarity Rally Demands Full Investigation into Acid Attack on Human Rights Activist Andrie Yunus
Yogyakarta — Waves of support for Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan (KontraS) human rights activist Andrie Yunus continue to spread. From Yogyakarta, solidarity resonated when women organised under Suara Ibu Indonesia and students from various universities gathered at the roundabout of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
They expressed support for Andrie, who recently became a victim of an acid attack by unknown assailants whilst travelling. Participants brought flowers and carried placards reading “Fully Investigate Violence Against Andrie”, “STRONGLY CONDEMN all forms of terror, intimidation and criminalisation against human rights defenders”, and “We Stand with Andrie” as demands for the case to be thoroughly investigated and the masterminds exposed.
The attack on the human rights activist is viewed as an intolerable form of violence and a genuine threat to civil society freedom. Protesters called on the government to resolve the case promptly, demanding that authorities identify not only the field perpetrators but also the intellectual actors behind the assault.
“Today Suara Ibu Indonesia, Ibu Berisik and several colleagues from various organisations and university movements have gathered at the UGM roundabout to express solidarity with our brother Andrie Yunus, who has recently become a victim of violence,” said Cila, representing Suara Ibu Indonesia, whilst speaking at the rally.
“Resolve the Andrie Yunus case, uncover who orchestrated the acid attack that has been shrouded in the phrase ‘unknown persons’. We want the state to clearly reveal who the perpetrators are, not just the field actors but also the intellectual actors behind it,” she said.
Cila described the incident as an alarm for civil society, necessitating stronger bonds of solidarity. Rally participants also demanded state guarantees protecting human rights defenders from criminalisation and ensuring their continued freedom to speak and advocate for civil society rights.
According to her, the case of Andrie is not the first such incident. She referenced various outstanding human rights violation cases that remain unresolved to date.
“The Andrie incident is not the first. Recently there has also been criminalisation of human rights defenders in East Kalimantan. Many human rights violations remain unresolved to this day,” she said.
Consequently, protesters issued a seven-day deadline for the government to demonstrate concrete steps in exposing those responsible for the attack. If no progress emerges, they vowed to intensify pressure through direct action and campaigns on social and mass media.
“We hope there will be no more Andries. The state must guarantee security and protection for civil society and human rights defenders,” she said.
Previously, Andrie Yunus fell victim to an acid attack by a group of unknown individuals on Thursday, 12 March 2026 late at night in the Salemba–Talang area of Central Jakarta. The incident prompted widespread condemnation from various civil society groups across Indonesia.
The attack occurred as Andrie was returning from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office. That evening, Andrie had just finished recording a podcast at the YLBHI office. Two perpetrators then approached on a two-wheeled vehicle, reportedly a 2016–2021 model Honda Beat automatic motorcycle.
The two male perpetrators operated using a single motorcycle, with one serving as the driver and the other as passenger. One perpetrator then splashed acid towards the victim, striking large portions of his body. The attack caused the victim to scream in pain and fall from his motorcycle. He was subsequently transported to hospital.
Andrie sustained serious injuries across his body, particularly on both hands, face, chest, and eye area. Medical examination revealed he suffered 24 percent chemical burns.
The solidarity expressed from the UGM roundabout transcended mere condemnation of violence, signalling that human rights defenders do not stand alone.