UN rights expert unable to carry out visit to Morocco

The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Diego García-Sayán, has announced that the necessary conditions for his visit to Morocco have not been fulfilled.

“The Government of Morocco has not been able to ensure a programme of work in accordance with the needs of the mandate and the terms of reference for country visits by special procedures,” he said.

The human rights expert was scheduled to visit the country from 20 to 26 March 2019 to examine the impact of measures aimed at ensuring the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and prosecutors, and the independent exercise of the legal profession.

“It is most regrettable that the suggestions of places to visit and schedule of work were not fully taken into consideration by the Government. It is an essential precondition for the exercise of the mandate of Special Rapporteur that I am able to freely determine my priorities, including places to visit,” he said.

Under the terms of reference for visits by special rapporteurs, governments are required to guarantee and facilitate their freedom of movement and their freedom of inquiry.

The Special Rapporteur has already been in contact with the Moroccan Government and is available for further discussions to help with efforts to ensure an independent and impartial judicial system and the independent exercise of the legal profession.

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