The Labour Movement with the People (GEBRAK) strongly condemns the acid attack on Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus that occurred in Jakarta on March 13. This brutal attack, which caused serious burns to the victim, constitutes an intolerable act of violence in a country that claims to be democratic and to uphold human rights. This incident is not simply an ordinary crime, but a real threat to civil liberties, the work of human rights defenders and the ordinary people's struggle to uphold democracy in Indonesia.
The attack occurred after Yunus returned from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) offices in Jakarta after completing a podcast recording on militarism and judicial review. He had previously attended a meeting of the Fact-Finding Commission on the August 2025 riots. GEBRAK believes that terror attacks against human rights defenders is a sign of the deteriorating quality of democracy. If activists working openly within the framework of the Constitution can be brutally attacked, it demonstrates the state's continued weakness in civil liberties protection. The state has a constitutional obligation to guarantee the safety of every citizen, especially those who advocate for human rights, labour rights, people's rights and democratic values. The failure to fully identify the perpetrators will only reinforce the culture of impunity that has long hampered law enforcement in Indonesia.
The fact that the attack occurred after public advocacy activities further strengthens the suspicion that this act was a form of intimidation against critical voices that have consistently championed the upholding of human rights and civil supremacy. It is important to look at Kontras' track record and activities in advocating for democracy and human rights. Particularly their work in combating violence, which unfortunately is often produced by the state. Therefore, their work directly challenges the status quo, which is maintained with guns and military boots. We need to remember the pattern during the protest in August last year, where repression by the authorities resulted in promotions. We also need to remember the pattern in August, where human rights violators were not arrested, prosecuted or even imprisoned.
GEBRAK expresses full solidarity with Andrie Yunus, the victim's family and all of their colleagues in Kontras and other civil society organisations. An attack on a human rights activist is a threat to the entire people's movements, including workers, farmers, students, women, indigenous peoples and the urban poor, who continue to struggle for social justice. Therefore, all elements of the people's movement must unite to safeguard democratic space from being undermined by terror, violence and intimidation.
GEBRAK finds it difficult to simply trust and hand over the investigation of this case to state institutions. GEBRAK calls on the oppressed, marginalised and even victims of human rights violations to mobilise together to raise awareness and urge the authorities to take immediate and decisive action. The state must not leave human rights defenders alone in the face of threats, as their protection is part of protecting democracy itself.
GEBRAK therefore states that it:
1. Strongly condemns the attack on Andrie Yunus as an act of violence that undermines democracy.
2. Wants not just an investigation, but the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of the perpetrators of human rights violations!
3. Demands that the state guarantee protection for human rights defenders, labour activists and all the people's movements.
4. Rejects all forms of terror, intimidation and violence against critical voices in Indonesia.
5. Calls for unity among the people's movements to safeguard democracy, uphold human rights and fight impunity.
Long live the Workers!
Long live the people!
Uphold democracy!
With respect,
The Labour Movement with the People (GEBRAK) Collective
Organisations affiliated with the GEBRAK Alliance
Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) Confederation, Confederation of United Indonesian Workers (KPBI), National Trade Union Confederation (KSN), National Labour Movement Centre (SGBN), the Media and Creative Industries Trade Union for Democracy (SINDIKASI), the Banking Trade Union Communication Network (Jarkom SP Perbankan), Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA), Progressive Students School (SEMPRO), Indonesian Students Union (SMI), Indonesian Student League for Democracy (LMID), Free Women (Perempuan Mahardhika), Indonesian High-School Students Federation (FIJAR), Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Jakarta), Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), United People's Struggle (KPR), Indonesian Workers Federation of Struggle (FPBI), Food and Beverage Trade Union Federation (FSBMM), Independent Trade Union Federation (FSPM), Industry Workers Federation (FKI), Indonesian Transport Workers Union (SPAI), Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), Greenpeace Indonesia (GP), Trend Asia (TA), Comrade, Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Jentera Indonesian College of Law Student Executive Council (BEM STIH Jentera), Campus Employees Union (SPK), Amartya House, Sedane Labour Resource Centre (LIPS), Indonesian Revolutionary Education Committee (KRPI), Indonesian Healthcare Workers and Medical Employees Trade Union (KSPMTKI), Socialist Union (PS), Resistance Jakarta, Student Struggle Centre for National Liberation (PEMBEBASAN), the People's Liberation Party (PPR), Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW), the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI), the Socialist Youth Group Organisation, the National Students Front (FMN), the South Jakarta Indonesian National Students Movement (GMNI), the Indonesian People's Union of Struggle (SPRI), the UPNVJ Law Students Union Moving (SEMARAK) and the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP).
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Hentikan Teror terhadap Aktivis HAM – Usut Tuntas Penyerangan terhadap Andrie Yunus, Selamatkan Demokrasi!".]
