Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Indonesia)

The Ministry of Law and Human Rights was established 19 August 1945 as the Department of Justice (Indonesian: Departemen Kehakiman).[1] The preceding agency in the Dutch Colonial Era was Dutch: Departemen Van Justitie, based on Herdeland Yudie Staatblad No. 576. In 2001-2004, this ministry was known as the Department of Law and Legislation (Indonesian: Departemen Hukum dan Perundang-undangan). In 2004-2009, this ministry was known as the Department of Law and Human Rights (Indonesian: Departemen Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia). Since 2009, it has been known as Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (Indonesian: Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia).[2]

The Department of Justice, as of 1945, was responsible in matters of court, jail, and attorneys. Its responsibilities were expanded to include the Attorney and Topography Agency in 1945. However, the Topography Agency was transferred to the Department of Defense in 1946. The creation of the Department of Religious Affairs resulted in transferring the Islamic High Court (Indonesian: Mahkamah Islam Tinggi) to a new department on 3 January 1946. Since 22 July 1960, the office Attorney General is elevated into a position that equal to a Department because of Minister of Justice Attorney Investigation. Thus, Attorney is independent to Minister of Justice since then. Transfer of General Court (Indonesian: Peradilan Umum) and State Administration Court (Indonesian: Pengadilan Tata Usaha Negara) to Supreme Court (Indonesian: Mahkamah Agung) is started from 1999 and finished on 31 March 1999. Thus, the Ministry has different responsibility.[1][2]