The Malta Independent 7 December 2024, Saturday
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Malta ranks top 10 in order and security from 142 countries within global rule of law index

Wednesday, 6 November 2024, 13:05 Last update: about 30 days ago

Malta ranked 30th in the world in the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index.

It scored highest in the "Order and Security" category, where it ranked tenth from a total of 142 countries and seventh within the European region of 31 assessed nations, the government said in a statement Wednesday. It, however, lost nine ranks in the 'Absence of Corruption' category, and is now ranked 40th

The World Justice Project's (WSP) Global Rule of Law Index measures, among other things, how much security a country's society offers to its citizens. It defines this as one of the fundamental aspects of the rule of law as well as a main function of the State.

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Malta improved by one place from last year's WSP Rule of Law Index Order and Security ranking, climbing up from eleventh to tenth place, the government said.

The "Order and Security" category is based on three categories: the rate at which "crime is effectively controlled," the rate at which "civil conflict is effectively limited," and the rate at which "people do not resort to violence to redress personal grievances."

Out of the 142 assessed countries, Malta placed third in the final category about the rate at which a country's people resort to violence. From a perfect score of 1.00, Malta was given a score of 0.88.

Malta received a perfect score of 1.00 for the index calculating if "civil conflict is effectively limited," though so did many other countries; Malta had a regional rank of seventeenth from 31 EU and EFTA countries.

Malta was given a score of 0.86 for the sub-category of effectively controlling crime. Next to our European neighbours, Malta ranked slightly below average in this regard (regional average = 0.89), and 41st overall.

This measure also considers how effectively crime is controlled in a respective country. Malta's Minister for the Interior, Byron Camilleri, referred to this ranking as a result of hard work that has been carried out in the sector which Maltese and Gozitan families are reaping the benefits for everyday.

Minister Camilleri said that this government is reforming and strengthening the Police Force by promoting their working conditions via collective agreements and through providing them with other resources, such as body-cams.

He remarked that police have a more present role within local communities through the introduction of community police across the country as well as through the revival of police stations. Camilleri added that this will be strengthened through the introduction of the Police Patrol Community and Support Officers. He also commended Malta's high international ranking to the Corps collaboration with other entities and disciplined bodies.

The Minister concluded that this investment in the local police corps will continue being strengthened as shown in this year's Budget, which offering the "largest financial allocation in history for this sector" next year.

In the absence of corruption section, Malta ranked 40th with a score of 0.64, losing nine ranks. The sub factor in this section called 'Government officials in the legislative branch do not use public office for private gain' saw a particularly low 0.36 score, which is well below the 0.53 regional average.

In the criminal justice section, Malta ranked 28th, with a score of 0.63.

In the constraints of government power section, Malta ranked 39th with a score of 0.63. In the section of regulatory enforcement, Malta ranked 43rd with a score of 0.59. In the section of civil justice, Malta ranked 48th, with a score of 0.60. In the Open government section, Malta ranked 32nd with a score of 0.63. In the Fundamental Rights section, Malta ranked 28th, with a score of 0.74.


 

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