Legal Literacy - Legal protection for witnesses and victims aims to provide a sense of security and protection to witnesses and victims from all forms of threats, fear, from perpetrators of criminal acts that may affect the disclosure of truth in criminal law enforcement.

Regulations on Witness and Victim Protection in Indonesia

The protection of witnesses and victims in criminal provisions in Indonesia has not been explicitly regulated. In Articles 50 to 68 Law Number 8 of 1981 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) only regulates protection for suspects or defendants to receive protection from various human rights violations.

Article 77 jo. Article 80 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) grants victims of crime the right to exercise control over investigators and public prosecutors, namely to file objections to the termination of investigations or prosecutions in their capacity as interested third parties. Furthermore, the provisions of Articles 98 to 101 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) contain provisions that provide opportunities for victims to file claims for compensation combined with the criminal case in question.

Law Number 13 of 2006 concerning the Protection of Witnesses and Victims mandates the establishment of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) as the implementer of the government's will. LPSK is an independent institution established and responsible for handling the provision of protection and assistance to witnesses and victims based on the duties and authorities as regulated in the law.

Law Number 13 of 2006 also mandates the provision of funds from the government which are used to provide compensation, restitution and compensation to victims in cases of gross human rights violations. Based on the principle of equality before the law which is one of the characteristics of a state based on law, witnesses and victims in the criminal justice process must be given legal protection guarantees. The core of the content regulated in the Law on Protection of Witnesses and Victims is:

  1. Protection and rights of witnesses and victims;
  2. Witness and Victim Protection Agency;
  3. Terms and procedures for providing protection to witnesses and victims;
  4. Criminal provisions.
  5. Regulations on Witness and Victim Protection in the UK

The position of witnesses in the criminal justice system in England can be seen from the treatment of witnesses in the English criminal justice system. Provisions regarding witnesses and/or victims and their rights and obligations in criminal courts are regulated in the Witness Charter. The Witness Charter has been developed to inform witnesses how they may be treated by law enforcement if they are acting as witnesses to a crime or witnesses of fact.