Filenews 31 January 2022
Cyprus ranks 20th in the world among 139 countries in 2021 in criminal justice, according to the results of the annual Rule of Law Index 2021 survey of the international independent organization World Justice Project (WJP). The survey scores the criminal justice of Cyprus with a total of 0.70 points (out of 1) taking into account criteria such as lack of corruption, the absence of government interference, procedural and substantive safeguards for the proper and fair administration of justice and others.
The international survey, which was conducted for the first time in Cyprus through a general public opinion poll and questionnaires for experts and lawyers, places Cyprus in general at the 28th position after examining factors such as restrictions on the executive, the absence of corruption, open government, the protection of fundamental rights, order and security, the application of laws and civil and criminal justice. Cyprus scored a total of 0.68/1 points in all areas of the rule of law, followed by countries such as Denmark (1st place with 0.9 points), Finland (2nd), Norway (3rd), Sweden (4th) and Germany (5th). It is worth noting that in the immediately preceding position from Cyprus (27th) is ranked the USA. Greece is ranked 48th overall with 0.61 points.
In matters of corruption, the judiciary of Cyprus is rated 0.90, the executive with 0.65, the police and army with 0.75 and the legislative power with 0.40. As far as civil justice is concerned, the survey ranks Cyprus in the 36th place, receiving the lowest score of the other sectors. The low indicators in the field of civil justice are mainly due to the delay of cases.
The World Justice Project, based in Washington, D.C., is the largest multidisciplinary platform aimed at raising awareness and promoting the principles of the rule of law around the world. Among the contributors for the implementation of the research for 2021 are the President of the Cyprus Bar Association Dr. Christos Clerides and other lawyers and academics.
