Yusril: Caustic Acid Attack on KontraS Activist is an Assault on Democracy
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has condemned the caustic acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus as an assault on Indonesia’s democratic values and human rights enforcement.
Yusril stated that the perpetrators must be apprehended, and investigation must extend to identify any intellectual architects behind the attack. He emphasised that human rights activists work in the interests of the people and the nation, as human rights enforcement and democracy represent a constitutional mandate.
In a statement released in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March, Yusril stressed that in a democratic state, all parties must uphold mutual respect for differing viewpoints. Violence against democracy and human rights activists cannot be justified under any circumstances.
“In democracy, everyone should adhere to the principle of respecting differences and diversity because all act for the common interest, not for personal interests,” Yusril stated.
Yusril urged law enforcement authorities, particularly the Indonesian National Police (Polri), to investigate the case thoroughly not merely to identify the perpetrators and their motives, but also to uncover those orchestrating the incident.
“The investigation must extend to the intellectual architects, not merely the perpetrators on the ground,” he said.
Yusril noted that the pattern of attack suggested organised planning, meaning the legal process cannot halt at the level of street-level perpetrators. He disclosed that he has coordinated directly with police regarding the investigation.
“They are currently conducting further investigation and are unable to disclose anything to the public at this stage,” Yusril said.
He urged the public to await the results of the police investigation so that the incident can be clearly and objectively revealed.
Yusril reaffirmed that President Prabowo Subianto maintains a strong commitment to upholding law, democracy and human rights. Consequently, the government will not tolerate violence in any form, whether against activists or anyone else, even if they hold differing or opposing views to the government.
Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was attacked with caustic acid in central Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March evening. KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated the incident occurred after Andrie Yunus attended a podcast event titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office at approximately 23:00 Western Indonesian Time.
“He was attacked with caustic acid by unknown persons, resulting in serious injuries throughout his body, particularly on both hands, face, chest and eye areas,” Dimas stated in a written statement on Friday, 13 March.
Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination showed he sustained caustic burns covering 24 per cent of his body.