Chief Justice Arief Hidayat in the general lecture on “The Constitutional Court of Indonesia and the Use of ICT to Protect Basic Rights of Citizens” at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France. Photo by Humas MK.

The application of information, communication, and technology (ICT) systems in the judiciary can facilitate access for parties and the community to obtain justice, especially in relation to open and accountable case handling processes. In particular, the use of ICT in the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (MKRI) has provided more optimal efforts to protect and uphold the basic rights of citizens.

This was conveyed by Chief Justice Arief Hidayat in the general lecture on “The Constitutional Court of Indonesia and the Use of ICT to Protect Basic Rights of Citizens” at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France on Wednesday (21/3/2018).

"With the use of ICT in the Indonesian Constitutional Court, the efforts of every citizen to defend and protect their basic rights contained in the Constitution will be easier. In addition, the use of ICT in the proceedings will greatly help the Court to speed up the settlement of cases," Justice Arief before Panthéon-Sorbonne University lecturers and students.

The Chief Justice also outlined ten ICT systems that had been implemented: online applications, e-registration of cases, remote hearing, case tracking system, video streaming, minutes and records of hearings, decisions, decision annotations; e-minutation, and digital applications. The development of ten ICT systems is expected to provide access court and access to justice, which is better for the wider community.

"Landmark decisions passed by the Indonesian Constitutional Court along with their summaries in English are also sent to and contained in the CODICES database of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. Thus, all of these decisions can be accessed easily by anyone from all corners of the world, including from countries in Europe," Justice Arief outlined his explanation of the decisions of the Indonesian Constitutional Court, which have become a reference for other countries.

In addition to giving a general lecture, Justice Arief, accompanied by Secretary General of the Constitutional Court M. Guntur Hamzah, also explored cooperation with the Panthéon-Sorbonne University in order to improve the capacity and capability of human resources in the Constitutional Court.

"The nine constitutional justices have limitations in deciding cases, so researchers, rapporteurs, and substitute registrars are also required to improve and expand their knowledge when the justices need second opinions. Although their second opinions are not binding, they will be very useful for the justices in deciding a case," Arief said, answering one of the questions raised by the students in the question-answer session. (YN/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)