Indonesia: Acid attack on human rights defender must be investigated

16 March 2026

Responding to an acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus in Jakarta, Amnesty International Indonesia's executive director Usman Hamid said:

"This cowardly act must not be dismissed as ordinary street crime. It is a violent attack aimed at silencing human rights defenders. Andrie is widely respected for his relentless advocacy for victims of human rights violations and his fierce opposition to regressive state policies.

"This attack exposes a chilling reality - the Indonesian government is failing in its duty to protect citizens who are on the frontlines fighting for civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Instead, the government resorts to stigmatizing human rights defenders as terrorists and instigators.

"We urgently call upon the authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent and swift investigation into this incident. The government must end impunity and guarantee a safe environment for all human rights defenders in Indonesia."

Background

At midnight on March 12 2026, Andrie Yunus, a dedicated activist from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was assaulted with acid by two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Jakarta. The attack occurred as he was riding home alone after recording a podcast at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office regarding remilitarization and judicial review.

He was rushed to the closest hospital, suffering from severe chemical burns across his body, particularly on his hands, face, chest and right eye.

Andrie Yunus's recent work includes challenging the controversial revision of the Military (TNI) Law, which allows military personnel to occupy civilian posts. He has also been relentlessly defending protesters who faced police unlawful repression and arbitrary arrests during the August 2025 mass demonstrations, which Amnesty International has documented.

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