17 February 2013, Male'; UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul has paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs H. E. Dr. Abdul Samad Abdullah today.
During the meeting held at the Ministry this morning Minister Samad and the Special Rapporteur discussed the current rule of law situation in the country and measures that could be taken to strengthen the judicial system of the Maldives.
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.
ENDS.