Event Summary
On 12 March 2026, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Acts of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus, has been subjected to an attack involving the dousing of corrosive liquid by unknown persons, resulting in serious injuries across his body, particularly on the right and left hands, face, chest, and eye area. The incident occurred shortly after Andrie Yunus completed the recording of a podcast at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), titled ‘Remilitarization and Judicial Review in Indonesia’. Andrie Yunus was immediately transported to a hospital for medical treatment. According to the examination results, he sustained burns covering 24% of his body.
Andrie Yunus frequently appears in public statements issued by KontraS concerning criticisms of legislative processes (for example, the 2025 revision of the TNI Law), demonstration actions, and responses to acts of violence by security forces. In March 2025, the KontraS office in Kwitang, Central Jakarta, was visited by three unknown persons in the middle of the night, an incident suspected to be linked to their advocacy activities, especially criticism of the TNI bill.
This attack raises serious concerns regarding the safety of human rights advocates in Indonesia, particularly those addressing militarization and accountability issues. While attacks using corrosive liquid (air keras) remain relatively infrequent compared to other forms of repression such as criminalisation, arbitrary arrests, or physical beatings, at least two closely analogous incidents occurred in the preceding 12 months, indicating recurrence of this specific tactic. In addition to constituting a recurring pattern aimed at intimidating activists, this phenomenon contributes to the shrinking of civic space and adds to the increase in attacks against human rights defenders in Indonesia.
Authorities, including the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, are expected to pursue leads expeditiously to ensure justice and prevent further such incidents. KontraS assesses that this corrosive liquid dousing constitutes an attempt to silence critical voices within society, particularly human rights defenders. The organization demanded the incident to be investigated thoroughly, including potential masterminds, and that the case should be charged under provisions for attempted murder where injuries could be fatal. Delays or a narrow focus on low-level perpetrators would reinforce a climate of impunity, discouraging reliance on legal protections. This psychological deterrent reduces participation in public discourse, podcasts, protests, and advocacy events. A number of CSOs have spoken out following the attack, flagging threats for the enabling environment as a whole.