The rule of law means that everyone, including those in power, must follow the law. It ensures that people are treated fairly, their rights are protected, corruption is addressed, and courts deliver justice. The World Justice Project (WJP) measures how well countries uphold the rule of law by assessing eight areas, including government accountability, fundamental rights, public security, and access to justice.
According to the 2026 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Afghanistan ranks 142nd out of 143 countries and jurisdictions, making it the second-lowest-ranked country in the world. The country received a score of 0.31 out of 1, reflecting serious weaknesses in its legal and political systems.
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban have further weakened the rule of law by concentrating power in their own hands, restricting freedom of expression, and denying women and girls their fundamental rights. Their restrictions on the justice system and lack of government accountability have left people with fewer ways to challenge abuses of power or seek justice. Afghanistan's ranking reflects the consequences of a system in which the Taliban rule without effective checks on their authority, while the rights of the population continue to be violated.