APHR Condemns Acid Attack on KontraS Activist, Slams Military Intelligence Involvement as a Direct Threat to Democracy

JAKARTA, 31 March 2026—ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) unequivocally condemns the brutal acid attack against a KontraS (Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence) activist in Indonesia, a heinous act of violence and intimidation against a human rights defender.

APHR is gravely concerned by the public confirmation by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) that personnel linked to BAIS (Badan Intelijen Strategis), the military’s strategic intelligence agency, were involved in the attack. This admission points to direct involvement of military intelligence actors in violence against civil society, raising profound alarm over the state of democracy and rule of law in Indonesia.

“An acid attack against a human rights defender is an act of terror. The confirmed involvement of BAIS-linked personnel elevates this from a criminal act to a systemic failure of state accountability. This is a direct attack on democracy, on justice, and on the fundamental right of citizens to speak truth to power,” said APHR Chair and Indonesian MP Mercy Chriesty Barends.

KontraS has long played a critical role in exposing enforced disappearances, advocating for victims of state violence, and demanding accountability for past and ongoing abuses. Targeting its members constitutes an attempt to silence critical voices and weaken democratic oversight.

“When military intelligence is implicated in attacks on activists, it signals not an isolated incident but a dangerous pattern of intimidation. If this is not addressed decisively, it risks normalizing impunity and eroding civilian control over the military. This is unacceptable in any democratic society,” said APHR Board Member and Malaysian MP Wong.

APHR stresses that this case represents not only a grave human rights violation, but also a test of Indonesia’s commitment to democratic governance.

APHR calls on the government of Indonesia to:

• Ensure an independent investigation outside military structures, with full transparency and public accountability
• Prosecute all perpetrators, including those in command positions, under civilian courts
• Reject impunity within military and intelligence institutions, and ensure institutional accountability
• Implement stronger civilian oversight over BAIS and other intelligence bodies

This attack, coupled with confirmed involvement of military-linked actors, sends a dangerous and chilling message to human rights defenders across Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian region. APHR warns that failure to ensure accountability will embolden further abuses and contribute to a broader pattern of repression in the region.

APHR stands in full solidarity with the victim, KontraS, and the broader human rights community in Indonesia. The network emphasizes that defending human rights is not a crime, and that states have an obligation to protect—not persecute—those who work to uphold justice and accountability.

Indonesia’s response to this case will serve as a critical benchmark for its democratic trajectory.

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