Sri Lanka outperforms its regional peers in all but two dimensions of the rule of law, a latest report, the ‘Rule of Law Index 2012’ by World Justice Project revealed.
“The country also outpaces most lower-middle income countries in several areas, ranking second in criminal justice, and third in the dimensions of open government, effective regulatory enforcement, and absence of corruption,” the report said.
“On the other hand, violence and human rights violations related to the legacy of a protracted civil conflict are serious problems. Other areas of concern are vigilante justice, delays and barriers to access civil justice, and lack of accessibility of official information.”
The report provides country-by-country scores and rankings for eight areas of the rule of law.
India ranks 78th among 97 countries in guaranteeing access to all civil justice.
India, the report said, has a robust system of checks and balances (ranked thirty-seventh worldwide and second among lower middle income countries), an independent judiciary, strong protections for freedom of speech, and a relatively open government (ranking fiftieth globally and fourth among lower-middle income countries).
“Corruption is a significant problem (ranking 83rd), and police discrimination and abuses are not unusual. Order and security – including crime, civil conflict, and political violence – is a serious concern (ranked second lowest in the world),” the report observed.
Pakistan shows weaknesses in most dimensions when compared to its regional and income group peers, the report said.
Bangladesh scores poorly in government accountability (ranking eighty-third globally and twelfth among low-income countries), and administrative agencies and courts are extremely inefficient and corrupt.
