Stark Revelation
In a stark revelation, Nigeria, the behemoth of black Africa, has plummeted to an alarming low in the global rule of law rankings. The World Justice Project’s (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024 paints a dismal picture, with Nigeria trailing behind 119 countries, ranking a dismal 120 out of 142 nations.
With the Human Rights Defenders Forum, Nigeria aims to strengthen its commitment to upholding human rights and promoting a more just and equitable society.
Top ten in Africa
1) Rwanda (40)
2) Namibia (43)
3) Mauritius (46)
4) Botswana (51)
5) South Africa (57)
6) Senegal (60)
7) Ghana (62)
8) Malawi (70)
9) Tunisia (76)
10) Algeria (84).
African Peers Surpass Nigeria
In a humiliating twist, Nigeria finds itself lagging behind several African countries, including Zambia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and even Niger, a country ruled by a military dictator.
This human rights deterioration raises pressing questions about the state of justice, governance, and institutional strength in Nigeria, sparking concerns about the nation’s future.
The downward spiral is particularly alarming, given that Nigeria trails behind several countries with questionable democratic credentials, raising pressing questions about the nation’s commitment to upholding fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
Global Rule of Law Recession Slows Amidst Signs of Progress
The latest findings from the WJP Rule of Law Index reveal a mixed bag, with the rule of law weakening in 57% of surveyed countries this year.
However, the data also suggests that the global rule of law recession is slowing, and progress is possible.
Notable Areas of Improvement Emerge
For the first time in five years, more countries improved than declined on the Index factor measuring Absence of Corruption, with corruption declining in nearly three-fifths (59%) of countries.
Additionally, a majority of countries showed improvement in ensuring effective criminal justice. These positive trends indicate that efforts to strengthen the rule of law are bearing fruit in many parts of the world.
Civil Justice Declines Slow, but Challenges Persist
While civil justice declines have slowed considerably since the height of the global pandemic, problems delivering timely and independent civil justice have continued to spread.
Despite this, the overall trend suggests that the global rule of law recession is slowing, and that progress is possible with sustained efforts to strengthen institutions and promote the rule of law.
At the same time, the rise of authoritarianism has undermined human rights and democratic progress in many countries.
“After seven consecutive years of rule of law declines it can be easy to focus on the negative. But to do so would ignore accomplishments in anti-corruption and the hard work occurring to improve justice systems globally,” WJP Co-founder and President William H. Neukom said.
“The global community must redouble efforts to expand these rule of law gains in all areas.”, the organization added.
Global Authoritarian Trends Worsen
A disturbing trend of rising authoritarianism has continued to spread globally, with the WJP Rule of Law Index 2024 revealing broader and deeper declines in fundamental rights and government accountability.
Despite hopes that authoritarian trends had begun to slow last year, the latest Index shows that 81% of countries have lost protections for fundamental rights since 2016, while 77% have weakened governmental checks and balances.
The implications are alarming, with over 6 billion people now living in countries where the rule of law is weaker than it was in 2016.
“In every corner of the world, we continue to see leaders consolidating their authority,” said WJP Co-founder and President William H. Neukom.
“This has grave implications for individual freedoms, government accountability, and people’s ability to choose their leaders through free and fair elections.”, the statement continued.
Global Elections Put Rule of Law to the Test
The world has witnessed a concerning decline in the rule of law since 2016, with 72% of countries experiencing a drop in lawful transition of power.
This year, with numerous elections taking place globally, the principle of peaceful transfer of power is being put to the ultimate test.
So far, the ruling party has managed to retain power in 13 out of 15 countries with below-average scores on this subfactor, raising concerns about the state of democracy worldwide.
However, there are glimmers of hope. Some countries that made significant improvements in the 2024 Index saw new, democratically elected governments take office last year.
Notably, voters in Brazil and Poland opted for change in their most recent national elections, marking a shift away from the rule of law declines experienced in these countries since 2016. These developments suggest that, despite challenges, democracy can still prevail.
WJP’s Global Reputation
The World Justice Project’s (WJP) has a long-standing reputation, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the state of the rule of law globally.
The Index is widely regarded as the world’s leading source of original, independent rule of law data, offering unparalleled insights into the strengths and weaknesses of legal systems worldwide.
The WJP Index employs a rigorous methodology, combining expert and household surveys to assess the rule of law in 142 countries and jurisdictions, covering an impressive 95% of the global population.
Each country’s score is calculated based on eight key factors, including constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, and fundamental rights, providing a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics at play.
Denmark Leads the Pack
Denmark has emerged as the top-ranked country in the 2024 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, followed closely by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany.
These five countries have maintained their positions from last year’s rankings, demonstrating their strong commitment to upholding the rule of law. In stark contrast, Venezuela, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar occupy the bottom rungs of the Index.
The WJP Rule of Law Index also highlights countries that have experienced significant changes in their rule of law scores over the past year.
Myanmar, El Salvador, and Nicaragua have witnessed the most substantial declines, while Poland, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka have made notable improvements.
These shifts reflect the ongoing struggles and successes of countries around the world in their efforts to strengthen the rule of law and promote justice.
Rwanda Leads Africa in Rule of Law
Rwanda emerged as the top-ranked African country in the World Justice Project’s (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024, securing the 40th position globally.
Namibia closely follows, ranking 43rd worldwide and second in Africa. This impressive showing highlights the strength of these countries’ institutions and their commitment to upholding the rule of law.
In stark contrast, Nigeria’s ranking of 120th out of 142 countries surveyed underscores the significant challenges facing the country’s justice system.
Other African countries that made it to the top ten list include Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Malawi, Tunisia, and Algeria. These rankings provide valuable insights into the state of the rule of law across the African continent.
Nigeria’s Alarming Slide: Call to Action
The dismal ranking of Nigeria in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2024 is a stark reflection of the country’s poor human rights record, which can be attributed to a combination of factors including institutional weaknesses, corruption, and a lack of accountability.
Analysts urge Nigeria and its agencies to take immediate action to improve the country’s standing, citing the need for strengthened institutions, increased transparency, and a commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
As Nigeria trails behind many countries governed by dictators, it is imperative that the government prioritizes these reforms to restore the faith of its citizens and the international community, and to ensure a more just and equitable society for all.
Nigeria Launches Human Rights Forum Amidst Rising Violations
The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) inaugurated the Human Rights Defenders Forum, a platform aimed at addressing rising human rights violations in the country.
The forum, launched on November 13, 2024, brings together various human rights groups to ensure greater protection of civil liberties and provide a unified voice for rights defenders.
According to NHRC Executive Director Anthony Ojukwu, the forum seeks to “chart a way forward” for safeguarding fundamental rights and promoting democratic consolidation.
Nigeria’s Human Rights Critical Time
The launch comes at a critical time, as Nigeria grapples with a surge in human rights abuses, including a crackdown on anti-government protests and the prolonged detention of minors.
The NHRC has also raised concerns about the growing threat of insecurity, with over 1,700 cases of kidnappings and 1,500 killings recorded between January and September 2024.
Furthermore, the commission has identified security forces, including the police and military, as major contributors to human rights violations.
Damilola Decker, programs officer with Global Rights, attributes the deteriorating rights situation to economic vulnerability and the Tinubu administration’s attacks on civic space, journalists, and protesters’ rights.
