European Parliament Urges Indonesia to Probe Acid Attacks Against Activists

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The European Parliament, or the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), have highlighted the case of the acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus in Indonesia, the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras), and environmental activist, Muhammad Rosidi. The European Parliament has called on the Indonesian government to investigate the case.

"The Parliament also calls on the Indonesian government to end legal immunity or impunity for human rights violators," the European Parliament stated in its official release on their website on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

This statement was one of the resolutions conveyed by the European Parliament during the plenary session on Thursday, May 21, 2026. In addition to Indonesia, the European Parliament also addressed human rights cases in Iran and Afghanistan.

For Indonesia, the European Parliament has requested a review and amendment of policies that expand military authority over the civilian sector. According to the European Parliament, this policy disrupts civilian oversight, limits basic freedoms, and risks strengthening impunity.

The Parliament also expressed concerns about several draft laws in Indonesia concerning disinformation, broadcasting, cyber security, as well as plans to determine who among the human rights defenders are entitled to legal protection. According to the European Parliament, the plan risks increasing restrictions on freedom of expression.

The European Parliament considers Indonesia to be an important partner for the European Union (EU) in addressing regional challenges. These challenges range from economic security, environmental degradation, regional security, to freedom of navigation.

The European Parliament wants the EU to ensure that human rights commitments, employment, and the environment are discussed in its relations with Indonesia. They also highlighted the deteriorating situation in Papua and West Papua as issues that need to be addressed in the EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue. This resolution was approved with 469 votes in favor, 38 against, and 62 abstentions.

Andrie Yunus was attacked with acid on March 12, 2026, in Central Jakarta. Civil society coalitions have urged the government to prosecute this case in a civilian court. However, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) insists on holding the trial in a military court.

Andrie Yunus' legal team, part of the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD), had previously expressed their rejection of the legal process of TNI BAIS members in the military court. TAUD has also submitted a letter of rejection on the victim's behalf regarding the military court proceedings in the acid attack case to Military Court II-08 Jakarta, Cakung, East Jakarta, on Monday, May 11, 2026.

This case involves four defendants from the TNI BAIS. They include Sergeant Edi Sudarko (ES), First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi (BHW), Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetyo (NDP), and First Lieutenant Sami Lakka (SL).

In this case, the prosecutors deemed that the four defendants committed severe mistreatment. Therefore, they are charged with violating Article 469 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code (KUHP), as well as subsidiary to Article 468 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 20 letter c KUHP, and subsidiary to Article 467 paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 20 letter c KUHP.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Rosidi was the victim of an acid attack by unknown individuals in the South Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands. The incident occurred on February 17, 2026, and is strongly suspected to be related to his frequent criticism of mafia and illegal tin mining activities.

Read: Lawyers Report Judges in Andrie Yunus Acid Attack Trial to Supreme Court

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