Minister of the Interior
An interior ministry (sometimes ministry of home affairs) is a government ministry typically responsible for policing, national security, supervision of local governments, conduct of elections, public administration and immigration matters. The ministry is often headed by a minister of the interior or minister of home affairs. In some countries, matters relating to the maintenance of law and order and the administration of justice are the responsibility of a separate justice ministry.
In countries with a federal constitution, an interior minister will often be found at both the federal and state levels. Similarly, autonomous entities and dependent territories may also have interior ministers.
In certain jurisdictions, similarly named government departments may have other responsibilities. In the United States, the Department of the Interior has radically different functions—primarily the management and conservation of natural resources, and programs and policies dealing with indigenous peoples of the U.S. The functions that fall under what most other countries call an "interior ministry" are under other government departments—mostly the Department of Homeland Security, with some others falling under the Department of Justice.
In Canada the Interior Minister's post existed from 1873 to 1936 replacing the role of Secretary of State for the Provinces. The current position is held by the Minister of Public Safety since 2003.
In Hong Kong, the Secretary for Home Affairs is responsible for matters relating to communities, culture, sports and local governance. Policing and related matters are the responsibilities of the Secretary for Security.
In Japan, law enforcement is decentralised with the National Public Safety Commission coordinating between the National Police Agency and the government through its Chairman who is a cabinet member. National security and immigration matters fall under the Ministry of Justice, whilst the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications handles the administrative system, local government and communication matters.
In Vietnam, The Ministry of Home Affairs is not responsible for policing, national security, and immigration matters. This mission belongs to Ministry of Public Security.
List of interior ministries
See also
- Department of Public Safety (United States)
- U.S. Department of Interior (United States)