Jakarta – The advocacy and legal team in the case of the acid attack on Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus has stated that they are now facing a serious escalation of threats.
They claim that the intimidation is targeting civil society organisations that have been vocal in advocating for justice for the victim, including through attacks in digital space.
"We believe that there are several potential threats directed at us as legal counsel and other human rights defenders while advocating for Andrie Yunus' case," said Kontras Immunity and monitoring Division head Jane Rosalina at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) offices in Central Jakarta on Tuesday March 31.
"On social media there are a great many anonymous accounts and buzzers with a harsh tone whose tendency is to make terror threats and intimidation against accounts currently advocating for Andrie Yunus' case, such as Kontras, the YLBHI [Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation], as well as other accounts", she continued.
Families targeted
This terror has not only targeted institutions but has also spread to personal and advocacy networks outside the region.
Rosalina revealed that several individuals assisting in the case have experienced direct threats, ranging from digital attacks on personal devices to physical intimidation of their family members in the field.
"For example threats [in the form of] family members being followed, terrorised and so on. That has happened", explained Rosalina.
In response to the increasingly unsafe situation, the advocacy team believes state intervention to provide security guarantees is urgent.
"Our legal advisors, human rights defenders and broader networks, should receive adequate witness and victim protection", said Rosalina.
Furthermore, Rosalina believes the lack of a specific legal framework covering human rights defenders in Indonesia makes legal advocates highly vulnerable to dangerous counterattacks.
"Including also related to the protection of human rights defenders, because we also see yes that today the protection situation for human rights defenders is very minimal yes, because there is not yet a specific regulation governing human rights defenders", explained Rosalina.
"This certainly requires a state institution that acts in accordance with its mandate to carry out protection work", she continued.
Meeting with DPR
In addition to visiting the Komnas HAM, on the same day sections of the civil society coalition that are part of the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) also attended a public hearing (RDPU) with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III.
During the meeting, Commission III member Wayan Sudirta from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), suggested that civil society continue to demand fulfilment of a statement by President Prabowo Subianto – and use this as pressure on law enforcement officials – so that the acid attack against activist Yunus is thoroughly investigated.
"This time the momentum is good, because the president made a statement. If we may be a little naughty, let's exploit the president's statement to the fullest", Sudirta said at the meeting.
"When else will the president make a straightforward statement like this in a general criminal case? So don't miss this", he added.
In this case, Sudirta conceded that he agreed that the acid attack on Yunus, which allegedly involved four soldiers from the Indonesian Military's (TNI) Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), should be categorised as premeditated murder.
According to Sudirta, investigators, especially the police, should not ignore the possibility of applying the legal articles on premeditated murder in this case.
"Moreover, the police are currently conducting a thorough investigation, and I'm sure they still have plans to seek additional evidence", he said.
Therefore, said Sudirta, his is urging a thorough investigation of the case, including the intellectual actors, is very necessary. Furthermore, according to Sudirta, similar cases have occurred from time to time and they have not created a deterrent effect.
"There is some influence, but not a deterrent effect. This time, the momentum is good, because the president made a statement", he said.
Previously, Prabowo emphasised that the acid attack on Yunus was a serious crime that can be classified as terrorism.
According to Prabowo, law enforcement should not stop with the operators on the ground. Prabowo said the authorities must be able to uncover the intellectual actors behind the incident.
"Including who ordered it, who paid for it", he said during a question-and-answer session with journalists in Jakarta on Thursday March 19. (kna/thr/kid)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Tim Advokasi Andrie Yunus Datangi Komnas HAM Usai Diteror".]
