LAW ENFORCEMENT OF STREET CRIME CRIMES COMMITTED BY CHILDREN (COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE INDONESIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL SYSTEM)

Abstract

Street crimes committed by juveniles have become a growing concern within Indonesia's legal system. While the state is responsible for maintaining public order through law enforcement, children in conflict with the law are entitled to special protection under human rights principles. This study aims to analyze law enforcement practices against juvenile street crime offenders in Indonesia and examine their compatibility with human rights standards through a comparative approach. This research employs normative legal methods using statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. The findings indicate that although Indonesia has adopted a progressive legal framework through the Juvenile Criminal Justice System Law emphasizing restorative justice and diversion, its implementation still faces structural and cultural challenges. Law enforcement remains predominantly punitive, thus not fully aligned with the best interests of the child. Therefore, reforms are necessary to strengthen rehabilitative and human rights-based approaches in law enforcement practices.