|
The rule
of law basically means government according to established
laws and principles which are not applied in arbitrary ways.
Several specific problems impede the rule of law in Arab
countries:
-
There is a tendency in most Arab
countries to apply laws selectively and officials often
exercise a wide measure of discretion in their
application.
-
The powerful and wealthy can often
influence the law to their own advantage – over-riding
the principle that no one should be above the law.
-
Corruption and wasta (use of
"connections", especially family ties) often
lead to the law being circumvented.
-
There is a considerable degree of
political control over the judiciary.
-
In some countries, such as Saudi
Arabia, the law is not fully codified, resulting in
inconsistent decisions by individual judges.
See also pages on corruption
and wasta.
Further information
Rule of Law
A compilation of recent articles by the Arab Reform Bulletin.
Worldwide
Governance Indicators
Reports from the World Bank, 1996-2008, with indivudal country
reports:
Worldwide
Governance Indicators
Background information from Wikipedia
Private prisons in Yemen
Tribes, and the sheikhs who operate their own jails.
Moussa al-Nomrani,
Tharwa Foundation, 2008
|
