1. law, govt and politics
2. government

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL:
26 March 2015 (EDT)
NEW INDEX FROM WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT MEASURES GOVERNMENT OPENNESS WORLDWIDE
MOROCCO RANKED 60th OUT OF 102 COUNTRIES
WASHINGTON, DC (26 March, 2015) – The World Justice Project (WJP) today released the WJP
Open Government Index 2015, the first effort to measure government openness based on the general
public’s experiences and perceptions. According to the Index, Morocco’s overall score places it at
2nd out of 7 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, 11th out of 25 among lower
middle income countries, and 60th out of 102 countries worldwide. The top overall performer in
the WJP Open Government Index 2015 was Sweden, the bottom performer was Zimbabwe. In the
Middle East and North Africa region, the top performer was Tunisia; the bottom performer was
Iran.
Scoring for the WJP Open Government Index 2015 is derived from more than 100,000 household
surveys and in-country expert questionnaires. The index covers a total of 102 countries and
jurisdictions, and is organized around four dimensions: publicized laws and government data, right
to information, the right to petition and citizen participation, and complaint mechanisms.
Morocco’s highest-ranking dimension was “Publicized laws and government data” (43rd out of 102
countries); its lowest-ranking dimension was “Civic participation” (48th out of 102 countries).
In addition to scores and rankings, the WJP Open Government Index 2015 tracks the experiences of
ordinary people as they request information from the government. Worldwide, less than half
(40%) of survey respondents knew of any laws supporting their right to access to government-held
information. In Morocco, 19% of households said they were aware of such laws. Of the 6% of
respondents who requested information from the government, only 76% reported receiving it—of
those, 40% were unsatisfied with the process.
Detailed, experienced-based data by country, as well as dimensional rankings and global key
insights, are available at worldjusticeproject.org/opengov
“Government openness is vital for both the government and the governed,” said Juan Carlos Botero,
Executive Director of the World Justice Project. “Openness helps improve public service delivery,
promotes government legitimacy, and encourages citizens to collaborate with their government
and monitor its performance.”
In addition to the WJP Open Government Index 2015, an accompanying report provides global
insights on the relationship between open government and other aspects of governance and
development, such as participation in the Open Government Partnership, gender equality, the right
to information in law and practice, and impunity.
“The WJP Open Government Index examines practical, everyday situations, such as whether people
can receive public information when they request it, and whether people can raise their voice and
participate in decision-making processes,” said Alejandro Ponce, WJP Chief Research Officer. “It’s
our hope that this report will encourage policy choices that enhance openness, promote effective
public oversight, and increase collaboration amongst public and private sectors.”
To access the WJP Open Government Index 2015 and accompanying report—including Morocco’s indepth data (with gender and socio-economic breakouts), report methodology, and global insights—
visit: worldjusticeproject.org/opengov
Morocco rankings (1 is best):
OVERALL GLOBAL RANK: 60/102
OVERALL REGIONAL RANK: 2/7
OVERALL INCOME RANK (LOWER MIDDLE INCOME): 11/25
OPEN GOVERNMENT DIMENSION
Publicized laws and government data
Right to information
Civic participation
Complaint mechanisms
SCORE
0.48
0.48
0.51
0.56
GLOBAL
RANK
43
70
78
51
REGIONAL
RANK
2
2
4
1
INCOME
RANK
7
15
19
7
WJP Open Government Index – Dimensions
•
Publicized laws and government data: Measures whether basic laws and information on
legal rights are publicly available, presented in plain language, and made accessible in all
languages used by significant segments of the population. This dimension also measures the
quality and accessibility of information published by the government in print or online
(active transparency), and whether administrative regulations, drafts of legislation,
administrative decisions, and high court decisions are made accessible to the public in a
•
timely manner.
Right to information: Measures whether requests for information held by a government
agency are granted (assuming the information is a public record). It also measures if these
requests are granted within a reasonable time period, if the information provided is
pertinent and complete, if requests for information are granted at a reasonable cost, and if a
request was granted without having to pay a bribe. This dimension also measures whether
people are aware of the right to information and whether relevant records – such as budget
figures of government officials, ombudsman reports, and information relative to community
•
•
projects – are accessible upon request.
Civic participation: Measures the effectiveness of civic participation mechanisms,
including the protection of the freedoms of opinion and expression, and assembly and
association, and the right to petition the government. It also measures whether people can
voice concerns to various government officers and members of the legislature, and whether
government officials provide sufficient information and notice about decisions affecting the
community, including opportunities for citizen feedback.
Complaint mechanisms: Measures whether people can, in practice, make complaints about
public officials or public services to various government officers and how government
officials respond to such complaints. It also measures whether people can challenge
government decisions before another government agency or a judge.
ABOUT THE WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT:
The World Justice Project® (WJP) is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to
advance the rule of law around the world. The rule of law is the foundation for communities of
peace, opportunity, and equity—underpinning development, accountable government, and respect
for fundamental rights. Our work engages citizens and leaders from across the globe and from
multiple work disciplines to advance the rule of law. Through our mutually-reinforcing programs of
Research and Scholarship, the WJP Rule of Law Index, and Engagement, WJP seeks to increase
public awareness about the foundational importance of the rule of law, stimulate policy reforms,
and develop practical, on-the-ground programs. Learn more at: www.worldjusticeproject.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Matthew Harman, Communications Director
press@worldjusticeproject.org
(206) 792-7676