Peran Pelayanan Sosial melalui Program YANKOMAS oleh Kantor Wilayah Kementerian Hukum dan HAM Sumatera Utara

Abstract

This study examines the role of social services provided through the YANKOMAS Program (Community Communication Service Post) by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of North Sumatra. YANKOMAS is designed as a complaint mechanism for citizens who feel that their human rights have been violated, while also providing legal education regarding their rights and the legal procedures they need to follow. The program not only receives and records complaints but also provides legal consultations, conducts initial investigations, and coordinates with government and non-governmental organizations in handling human rights violation cases. This program plays a significant role in providing access to justice and human rights protection for the public. The method used in this research is a qualitative approach with descriptive data analysis. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with informants directly involved in the implementation of the YANKOMAS Program at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of North Sumatra. Additionally, secondary data from related documents and field observations were used to enrich the analysis. This research is based on the social service theory by Sainsbury, as cited in Fahrudin (2012:50). According to Sainsbury, social services are communal services used to meet social needs and reduce specific social problems. These services include healthcare, education, income maintenance, housing, and personal social services. This theory is highly relevant to the role of YANKOMAS in providing services that not only cover legal aspects but also social aspects, where the public’s need for human rights protection is the main focus. YANKOMAS serves as a form of government social responsibility by creating a mechanism for organizing social relations to resolve human rights issues in the community.