United Nations Mandate Source RegistryBeta Version
UN Secretariat MandatesUN System Mandates
United Nations (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
Donate (opens in new tab)
  • A-Z Site Index (opens in new tab)
  • Contact (opens in new tab)
  • Copyright (opens in new tab)
  • FAQ (opens in new tab)
  • Fraud Alert (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy Notice (opens in new tab)
  • Terms of Use (opens in new tab)

Independence and Impartiality of the Judiciary, Jurors and Assessors and the Independence of Lawyers

A/HRC/RES/12/3No PDF available

Who created this mandate?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 3Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, published in 2009.

What other versions does this mandate have?

7 versions · 2009–2024
This is an older version — the most recent is A/HRC/RES/56/3
  • 2024A/HRC/RES/56/3Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyersLatestCompare with previous version
  • 2020A/HRC/RES/44/9Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyersCompare with previous version
  • 2017A/HRC/RES/35/12Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyersCompare with previous version
  • 2015A/HRC/RES/29/6Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyersCompare with previous version
  • 2013A/HRC/RES/23/6Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyersCompare with previous version

iVersions are identified automatically by matching titles within the same organ (~97% accuracy on a manual audit).

What subjects does this mandate have?

10 topics
Administration of JusticeFact-Finding MissionsHuman RightsJudgesJudicial IndependenceLaw EnforcementLaws and RegulationsLawyersRule of LawSpecial Rapporteurs

What does this mandate say?

10 operative paragraphs
1
Notes with appreciation the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers (A/HRC/11/41), including on the main recent developments in the area of international justice, and invites all Governments to consider seriously the conclusions and recommendations expressed therein;
2
Commends the previous Special Rapporteur for the important work undertaken in the discharge of his mandate;
3
Notes with interest the analysis of individual and institutional parameters elaborated by the previous Special Rapporteur in his report for effectively guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary;
4
Requests the current Special Rapporteur to elaborate safeguards to ensure and strengthen the independence of lawyers, including public defenders where appropriate, as a guarantee in the protection of human rights and the rule of law;
5
Encourages States to promote diversity in the composition of the members of the judiciary and to ensure that the requirements for joining the judiciary and the selection process thereof are non-discriminatory;
6
Calls upon all Governments to respect and uphold the independence of judges and lawyers and, to that end, to take effective legislative, law enforcement and other appropriate measures that will enable them to carry out their professional duties without harassment or intimidation of any kind;
7
Urges all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of her tasks, to provide all information and to respond to communications transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur without undue delay;
8
Calls upon Governments to give serious consideration to responding favourably to the requests of the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries, and urges States to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur with respect to the follow-up to and implementation of her recommendations so as to enable her to fulfil her mandate even more effectively;
9
Encourages Governments that face difficulties in guaranteeing the independence of judges and lawyers, or that are determined to take measures to implement this principle further, to consult and to consider the services of the Special Rapporteur, for instance by inviting her to their country if the Government concerned deems it necessary;
10
Decides to continue consideration of this issue in accordance with its annual programme of work.

iParagraph content is machine-extracted from UN documents. For authoritative content, please refer to the official UN document.

Table of contents

No headings found in this document.