DENMARK has been ranked the world’s leading country in upholding the rule of law, according to an international survey conducted by World Justice Project (WJP).
By Munya Simango Own Correspondent
The WJP’s 2014 Rule of Law Index report hailed Denmark’s justice delivery, good governance and absence of corruption within its institutions. The survey scrutinised governance and judicial systems in over 90 countries.
Zimbabwe scored poor marks in the 2014 survey with rankings close to the bottom in most categories; with the exception of criminal justice where the country was placed 67 out of 97 countries surveyed.
Incidentally, Denmark has been providing financial support to Zimbabwe’s judicial system for the past few years.
The World Justice Project is an independent, non-profit organisation whose goal is to strengthen the rule of law throughout the world. The Rule of Law Index ranks countries according to indicators that include limited government powers, delivery of criminal justice and absence of corruption.
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In an interview recently, the Royal Danish Embassy Office head of mission to Zimbabwe Erik Brogger Rasmussen said: “Denmark’s public institutions are transparent, efficient and free of corruption. Our international cooperation activities are based on these principles. In line with this, the Danish engagement in Zimbabwe aims at building democratic institutions and promoting universal human rights.
“A key component of our development co-operation programme in Zimbabwe focuses on providing the support aimed at enhancing the independence and effectiveness of the justice delivery system while upholding the integrity of the judiciary.”
Since 2010, the Danish embassy has supported the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to develop and implement the commission’s strategic plan (2012-2016) which calls for judicial service reform.
Since 2009 the Danish government has also actively supported dialogue around the ongoing democratic transition process in Zimbabwe.
“Danish involvement in the transition process is aimed at establishing democratic, transparent and accountable governance in Zimbabwe through various bilateral and joint intervention initiatives,” said Rasmussen.
Danish development cooperation in Zimbabwe also supports inclusive economic growth through private sector development in agriculture which directly contributes to improving the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Other components of the country’s development co-operation focus on infrastructure rehabilitation, policy development and the elimination of gender-based violence in particular sexual violence.
“Part of our assistance is geared towards the development of national frameworks and legislation which promote gender equality and to decisively reduce gender based violence. The support will also involve strengthening the referral pathway by providing victims access to services that include legal aid, shelter, counselling and livelihood support,” said the envoy.