European Union, Indonesia – On 21 May 2026, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for accountability in the attacks against human rights and environmental defenders Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi. The last time the Parliament passed a resolution specifically focusing on the human rights situation in Indonesia was almost a decade ago, showing a growing international concern in the deteriorating conditions in the country.
Andrie Yunus, the Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, suffered permanent injuries following the acid attack allegedly carried out by four Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel on 12 March 2026 in Jakarta. It is believed that the attack was retaliation for Mr. Yunus's criticism of military abuses. The previous month saw a similar acid attack against the environmental activist Muhammad Rosidi in Sumatera, believed to be due to his advocacy against illegal mining in Bangka Belitung. So far nobody has been held accountable for the attack against Mr. Rosidi.
Despite the promises of Reformasi in the turn of the century to bring the Indonesian military under civilian control, the armed forces failed to withdraw from economic activities and remain involved in mining, agribusiness and other large-scale economic projects across the archipelago, often involving serious human rights abuses against local communities. The recent documentary "Pesta Babi" criticises military abuses in the Merauke Food Estate Project, and at least 21 showings of the film in Indonesia were subject to intimidation, cancellation or shutdowns by military officials and their allies.
The resolution expresses concern about impunity in Indonesian, given the military's involvement in the attack against Andrie Yunus and trying the case in a military rather than civilian tribunal. It draws attention to shrinking civic space across the country and violence in West Papua. Furthermore, it urges "the EU and the Member States to intensify engagement with Indonesia, including at the highest level and in international forums, to address the deteriorating human rights situation, particularly in Papua and West Papua".
The resolution was introduced by five political groups, with members of all eight political groups voting in favour. It is directed to the European Union institutions, the Member States, and the Government and Parliament of Indonesia.