Ivory Coast, Algeria, Togo, China, Other Countries Ahead Of Liberia
By Our Staff Writer
Liberia is lagging behind a large number of African and other countries in its state of adherence to the rule of law, according to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2024.
Out of 142 countries surveyed by the World Justice Project, Liberia sits at 108 in the rule of law ranking, with countries like Kenya, Zambia, Gambia, Algeria Ivory Coast, Togo, DR Congo, Guatemala, China and Lebanon topping this country in the justice ranking.
“The rule of law is internationally recognized as a foundational element in guaranteeing peace, justice, human rights, effective democracy, and sustainable development. Around the world, however, the rule of law continues to weaken,” the report says.
On July 17 this year, a mixture of opposition groups and individuals led by Mulbah Morlu’s pressure group, STAND staged a street protest in Monrovia claiming that the Unity Party government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has undermined the rule of law since coming to power in January 2024. The protesters made a public petition demanding full adherence to the rule of law, warning that failure of the government to address their demand, they will stage another protest in the coming months.
The 2024 edition of the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index “reveals that a majority of countries are experiencing backsliding, marked by executive overreach, diminished human rights, and justice systems that are failing to meet people’s needs. In the face of these challenges, there is a need for a shared understanding of the landscape we face and a systematic, robust, and actionable assessment of adherence to the rule of law around the world.”
According to the report, “in 2024, overall rule of law has declined in a majority of countries yet again.”
It adds:
“The authoritarian trends that first spurred the global rule of law recession in 2016 persist in every region of the world today.”
However, the World Justice Project says “overall rule of law declines are less widespread and extreme for the third year in a row.”
According to the report, some countries have managed to reverse authoritarian trends.”
On the other hand, it says “others have made sustained progress in justice, anti-corruption, and human rights.”
It says the Index data “proves that progress is possible.” WJPIndex2024.pdf