Jakarta, IDN Times – Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Human Rights, Mugiyanto, has vehemently condemned the recent acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS). The shocking incident occurred in Jakarta on Thursday night, March 12, 2026. Mugiyanto underscored that violence targeting human rights defenders is utterly unacceptable in any nation committed to upholding the rule of law and fundamental human rights principles.
“Such acts must not be normalized. Law enforcement agencies must take decisive action,” Mugiyanto declared in an official statement issued on Friday, March 13, 2026, signaling a strong government stance against such brutality.
Mugiyanto stressed that every citizen possesses the inherent right to express their views, criticisms, and advocacy on public issues without fear of violence or intimidation. He firmly asserted that attacks on individuals dedicated to defending human rights not only erode the public’s sense of security but also profoundly undermine the very principles of democracy.
Furthermore, the Vice Minister cautioned that such violent acts could jeopardize the government’s unwavering commitment to its national development agenda. This includes President Prabowo Subianto’s visionary Asta Cita program, which aims for significant progress and stability, making the need for a secure environment for all citizens even more critical.
Against this backdrop, Mugiyanto has issued a direct appeal to law enforcement agencies, urging them to conduct a serious and transparent investigation into the case. He stressed the paramount importance of firm legal action to prevent any perception that violence against human rights defenders could occur with impunity, thereby upholding the integrity of the justice system.
“This incident must be thoroughly investigated, clearly identifying both the perpetrators and the underlying motives behind this reprehensible assault,” he stated, reinforcing the demand for full accountability and justice for the KontraS activist.
The Vice Minister further articulated that the state bears a fundamental obligation to ensure that all its citizens are protected from acts of violence, explicitly including those dedicated to championing human rights. This commitment to safeguarding human rights defenders is also being solidified through a planned revision of the Human Rights Law, currently under development by the government, aiming to provide more robust legal frameworks.
Expressing deep concern, Mugiyanto extended his heartfelt sympathies to Andrie Yunus and his family following the traumatizing event. “We sincerely hope that Mr. Andrie Yunus receives the best possible medical treatment and makes a swift recovery,” he conveyed, underscoring the humanitarian aspect of their response.
The Ministry of Human Rights, Mugiyanto assured, will actively monitor the progress of this case. It is committed to ensuring that the legal proceedings are conducted rigorously, delivering justice for the victim, and crucially, taking proactive steps to prevent such a heinous incident from ever recurring. This incident has also drawn significant attention from other key figures and institutions, with the National Police Chief reportedly giving special attention to the acid attack on the KontraS activist. Police continue their thorough investigation into the assault on Andrie Yunus, meticulously reconstructing the chronology of the attack by unidentified perpetrators to bring them to justice.
Summary
Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Human Rights, Mugiyanto, strongly condemned the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, which occurred in Jakarta on March 12, 2026. Mugiyanto emphasized that violence targeting human rights defenders is unacceptable and profoundly undermines public security and democratic principles. He called for decisive action from law enforcement agencies to conduct a serious and transparent investigation into the incident.
The Vice Minister stressed the state’s fundamental obligation to protect all citizens, particularly human rights defenders, highlighting that such acts jeopardize national development goals. He urged for firm legal action to ensure accountability and prevent any perception of impunity, noting that the Ministry of Human Rights will actively monitor the case. Law enforcement agencies, including the National Police, are thoroughly investigating the assault to bring the perpetrators to justice.