UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers visits the Maldives

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judges and Lawyers Ms. Gabriela Knaul arrived in Male’ today on an official visit.  The Special Rapporteur (SR) is visiting the Maldives as part of her engagement with the Maldives and also as a follow up to her predecessor Dr. Leandro Despouy’s visit to the Maldives in 2007.

Her mission to the Maldives will be focused towards assessing the independence of judges and lawyers as well as the smooth functioning of the justice system after the enactment of the new democratic Constitution in the  Maldives in 2008. During her mission, the Special Rapporteur is expected to hold meetings with all Government and non-Governmental stakeholders including NGOs where she will address issues that are relevant to her mandate. The Special Rapporteur will also meet with lawyers, Parliamentarians and members of the judiciary. She is further scheduled to visit some islands and hold discussions with the local magistrate courts.

The visit of the Rapporteur forms part of the wider engagement policy of the Government of Maldives and the ongoing dialogue with the international human rights mechanism. In 2005, the Maldives issued a standing invitation to all Special Procedure Mechanisms and has hosted several such visits including the Rapportuers on freedom of religion, freedom of expression and the independence of judges and lawyers.  At the end of her visit, Ms Knaul will submit her report and recommendations to both the Government and the Human Rights Council. The Maldives is an incumbent member of the Council, and currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Council.

The Special Procedure mechanisms are technical mechanisms established on thematic areas mostly and provide technical advice and guidance to states on specific topics. Ms. Gabrielle

Knaul, is a judge from Brazil, and was appointed by the Human Rights Council in 2009 when her predecessor Dr. Leandro Despouy stepped down.