National Governments Look to WJP Rule of Law Index 

Every year, hundreds of news outlets cover the launch of the WJP Rule of Law Index. But its influence continues throughout the year as a go-to source for not just media, but researchers, advocates, private sector actors, and government officials looking to assess and improve rule of law performance around the world. For example, a group of high-level justice officials from Brazil visited WJP’s Washington offices in March to discuss the Index and the judicial branch’s proactive efforts to improve access to justice in Brazil. Also in March, India’s Justice Department published a summary of reform efforts, outlining an action plan to improve India’s ranking in the WJP Rule of Law Index. And the U.S. Department of State, in publishing the new United States Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability on April 1, named the WJP Rule of Law Index as one of the sources U.S. departments and agencies will consult to inform the selection of priority countries and to monitor the strategy’s progress.

WJP Research Spurs Mexico to Focus on Local Police

In Mexico, the World Justice Project’s criminal justice work is making a significant impact on public security priorities. In March, the head of INEGI, the country’s national statistical institute, told stakeholders that his agency is now surveying municipalities across the country about local police departments’ capacity to investigate crime. The new survey questions focus on gaps consistently raised by WJP research and advocacy over the past two years, namely that the vast majority of local police officers in Mexico lack the authority and training to investigate crime. In many cases, only small units in local prosecutors’ offices are authorized to investigate crimes, but they simply cannot keep up with the volume of cases. As a result, frustrated citizens often do not report crime, which then goes unpunished. WJP hopes the new survey data will allow us to target specific municipalities with a tailored mix of technical assistance and thought partnership that can help end the cycle of impunity in Mexico.

In March, we announced that 30 innovative rule of projects from around the world have been named finalists in the World Justice Challenge 2022. Selected from more than 300 submissions from 118 countries, these projects represent the cutting edge in effective, replicable projects that are increasing access to justice, countering discrimination, and promoting impactful anti-corruption and open government practices. The finalists, who represent 25 countries across 5 continents will present their work in live showcases at the World Justice Forum in The Hague and online (May 30 - June 2). Another 10 projects that received honorable mentions will also attend the Forum and, together with the finalists, exhibit their work at the Forum’s Justice Expo. Learn more about their fascinating projects.

World Justice Forum to Convene Rule of Law Leaders

To counter global decline in rule of law exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, WJP is pulling together a remarkable selection of rule of law leaders, organizations, and public and private sector supporters to plot the course for the change we need at World Justice Forum 2022: Building More Just Communities. Confirmed speakers for the Forum in The Hague include European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová; NAACP President Emeritus Sherrilyn Ifill; Mo Ibrahim, founder of Mobile Systems International and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation; and former Ireland President Mary Robinson and human rights activist Hina Jilani, both of The Elders. The Forum’s co-producing partners are the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), HiiL (The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law), Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, CIVICUS, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Numerous supporting partners and sponsors include OECD, Transparency International, Namati, the Chandler Foundation, Wilson Sonsini, LexisNexis, Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Please explore the agenda and growing lists of featured speakers and working sessions. We hope you’ll make plans to join us in person in The Hague, or online, May 30 - June 2.  Register here.

World Justice Forum Inspires “Justice Week”

In less than two months, hundreds of change-makers from around the world are expected to assemble at WJP’s World Justice Forum in The Hague, the International City of Peace and Justice. With this in mind, the Dutch Foreign Ministry and the Municipality of the Hague decided to declare May 30 - June 3 “Hague Justice Week.” The Forum will anchor a weeklong city-wide array of talks, exhibits, and special programming for international visitors, local residents, and invited journalists, all with the theme of justice. Learn more.