In the recently released World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index for 2023, Sierra Leone’s rule of law ranks high despite concerning findings highlight a sustained decline in the rule of law across most countries, impacting more than 6 billion people between 2022 and 2023.
This concerning trend, which originated in 2016, amid growing authoritarianism, continues to affect 78% of nations.
The most significant factor showing deterioration since 2016 is the protection of Fundamental Rights, weakening in a staggering 77% of countries. While authoritarian tendencies persist in 2023, the pace of decline appears to have slowed, with fewer countries experiencing declines compared to previous years.
On the flip side, challenges related to the functionality of justice systems are on the rise, as more countries grapple with providing timely and accessible justice. Notably, Civil Justice experienced the most significant decline this year.
WJP co-founder and president, William H. Neukom, expressed deep concern over the rule of law recession, marked by executive overreach, human rights restrictions, and underperforming justice systems.
The WJP Rule of Law Index is a comprehensive source of independent data assessing the state of the rule of law in 142 countries, covering 95% of the global population. It rates countries on eight critical factors, including Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Fundamental Rights, and Civil Justice.
In a positive development for Sierra Leone, the World Justice Index revealed an improvement in the country’s judicial system, positioning it above Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Mali. Sierra Leone now ranks 18th out of 34 African nations and 110th out of 142 countries worldwide.
The WJP Rule of Law Index is a vital resource for governments, multilateral organizations, businesses, academia, and civil society, providing original, independent data on the state of the rule of law based on surveys conducted in 142 countries and jurisdictions.
The World Justice Project, an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law globally, emphasizes that effective rule of law is essential for reducing corruption, fighting poverty and disease, protecting human rights, and promoting accountable government, development, and peace.
The WJP defines the rule of law as a system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment delivering accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible justice.
