On February 16, 2026, unknown actors sent death threats and intimidation to Tiyo Ardianto, the Chairman of the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Board (BEM). The harassment, which reportedly extended to his family, followed Ardianto’s public criticism of the government.

BEM UGM issued an open letter to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in early February, linking the child suicide in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to systemic poverty and government policy failures. Within a few days, Ardianto, his family, and 30 other BEM UGM student members began receiving WhatsApp messages threatening them with abduction and death.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the intimidation and harassment, including threats of violence, of students for exercising their freedom of expression – conduct which is protected by international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Members of the public must refrain from actions that chill or restrict such conduct. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, intimidation and harassment in response to peaceful expressive activity undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://theonlinecitizen.com/2026/02/18/threats-against-indonesian-student-leader-after-child-suicide-criticism-spark-fears-over-academic-freedom
https://www.tempo.co/politik/ketua-bem-ugm-sentil-pemerintah-soal-teror-ke-aktivis-2115766
https://www.tempo.co/politik/ketua-bem-ugm-ajukan-perlindungan-ke-lpsk-usai-diteror-2115528