UN special rapportuer emphasises importance of judicial accountability in Maldives

UN's Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Ms. Gabriela Knaul, today responded to a statement on the judicial sector in the Maldives by saying that, while the independence of the judiciary is crucial in the context of the country's democratic transition, that does not mean that judges, lawyers or prosecutors, or the judiciary itself should be unaccountable or be immune from the law.

Due process, accountability, transparency and ethical behaviour are as relevant to the judicial sector as they are to any other part of government.

The Special Rapporteur's comments came during an interactive dialogue at the Human Rights Council on judicial independence. Addressing Knaul, Iruthisham Adam, the Maldives Permanent Representative in Geneva, informed the Special Rapporteur that "a key difficulty in the Maldives as we continue our democratic transition, is to establish a judiciary which is not only strong and independent, but which is also professional and accountable.”

In a meeting with the Special Rapporteur after the session, Ambassador Adam asked the Special Rapporteur how the international community can help to strengthen the accountability, independence and effectiveness of the JSC and the judicial sector.

The Special Rapporteur suggested various options which will now be put under consideration.