(Jakarta, 15th) — A leader of a well-known Indonesian human rights organization was attacked with acid in Jakarta on Thursday night (March 12), suffering serious burns to his face and multiple parts of his body.
This violent incident against a rights activist has drawn significant international attention, with the international community expressing concern that Indonesia's democratic environment may further deteriorate under President Prabowo’s rule.
The victim is Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS). Dimas, the organization's coordinator, said Andrie was riding a motorcycle when two men on a scooter approached him, and one of them threw strong acid on him. Andrie suffered burns on 24% of his body.
KontraS criticized the attack as an “attempt to silence critical voices in society by violent means.”
Andrie has long been a harsh critic of military intervention in government affairs, and had just recorded a podcast on the topic before the attack. He had also previously been threatened for his activism.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called it “a cowardly act of violence” and urged that those responsible be brought to justice. He stated that the work of human rights defenders is vital, and they should be protected and able to raise issues of public concern without fear.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Yusril, said in a statement on Friday (13th) that the attack was “an assault on Indonesian democracy” and that “regardless of who the perpetrators are or their motives, we will prosecute them according to the law.” Jakarta police said they had launched an investigation into the attack.
The latest report from Human Rights Watch on Indonesia pointed out that since Prabowo took office as president in October 2024, Indonesia’s “democratic process has further regressed, protests have been suppressed, the media has faced censorship, and activists have been intimidated.”
The victim is Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS). Dimas, the organization's coordinator, said Andrie was riding a motorcycle when two men on a scooter approached him, and one of them threw strong acid on him. Andrie suffered burns on 24% of his body.
KontraS criticized the attack as an “attempt to silence critical voices in society by violent means.”
Andrie has long been a harsh critic of military intervention in government affairs, and had just recorded a podcast on the topic before the attack. He had also previously been threatened for his activism.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called it “a cowardly act of violence” and urged that those responsible be brought to justice. He stated that the work of human rights defenders is vital, and they should be protected and able to raise issues of public concern without fear.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Yusril, said in a statement on Friday (13th) that the attack was “an assault on Indonesian democracy” and that “regardless of who the perpetrators are or their motives, we will prosecute them according to the law.” Jakarta police said they had launched an investigation into the attack.
The latest report from Human Rights Watch on Indonesia pointed out that since Prabowo took office as president in October 2024, Indonesia’s “democratic process has further regressed, protests have been suppressed, the media has faced censorship, and activists have been intimidated.”