PRESS RELEASE
Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI)
Jakarta, Indonesia — March 15, 2026 — Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI) strongly condemns the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan (KontraS). The use of acid is an extremely dangerous form of violence due to its highly corrosive nature, which can cause severe burns, permanent tissue damage, and even blindness. Given the severity of the act, this attack may constitute an attempted murder and represents a grave threat not only to the victim but also to civil society.
WALHI stated that Andrie Yunus is a prominent human rights defender who has consistently advocated for human rights protection and democratic accountability in Indonesia. Through his work at KontraS, Andrie has been actively involved in advocacy efforts related to exposing human rights violations, promoting accountability of state authorities, protecting civil liberties, and criticizing state policies that risk undermining democratic space.
The human rights defense work carried out by Andrie Yunus is protected under various legal frameworks, including Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, which guarantees public participation in the promotion and protection of human rights. Protection mechanisms for human rights defenders are also recognized under both national and international human rights standards.
WALHI believes the attack on Andrie Yunus cannot be treated as an ordinary criminal incident. Rather, it represents a dangerous precedent for democracy and a serious threat to the safety of human rights defenders and civil society actors working to advance public interest. This includes those advocating for the protection of environmental rights and the right to a healthy environment.
The recurrence of violence against human rights defenders, as seen in the case of Andrie Yunus, is a direct consequence of the failure to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable for previous incidents of violence, thereby creating a climate of impunity that suggests violence against human rights defenders is an act that can be committed with impunity, WALHI notes that between 2025 and 2026, there were at least 50 victims across 10 cases of violence and SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) directed at human rights and environmental defenders.
“The attack on Andrie Yunus is part of a broader pattern of violence against civil society. It cannot be viewed as an isolated incident. We believe this attack is connected to the human rights and democracy advocacy work carried out by Andrie Yunus together with KontraS and other civil society networks,” said Boy Jerry Even Sembiring, National Executive Director of WALHI
WALHI calls on the government to conduct an immediate, thorough, transparent, and accountable investigation into the case. Law enforcement must not stop identifying the direct perpetrators but must also uncover the full chain of responsibility, including any individuals who may have orchestrated or ordered the attack.
Failure to conduct a comprehensive investigation risks repeating patterns of impunity seen in previous attacks against human rights defenders in Indonesia.
“We urge the authorities to fully uncover the chain of responsibility behind this attack, including those who may have planned or ordered the assault on Andrie Yunus,” Boy Jerry Even Sembiring emphasized.
WALHI calls on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to urge the Indonesian government to immediately investigate this case and provide protection to human rights defenders and civil society organizations expressing solidarity. WALHI also calls on civil society organizations, the media, and the public to closely monitor the legal process to ensure it proceeds transparently, fairly, and without discrimination. Ensuring accountability in this case is crucial to preventing future attacks and safeguarding the work of human rights defenders acting in the public interest
For further information:
Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia
Jln Tegal Parang Utara Nomor 14, Mampang Prapatan, Jakarta Selatan
email: [email protected] | instagram: @walhi.nasional | x: @walhi.nasional
TikTok: @walhi.nasional
Handphone: (+628115501980)
