A/HRC/14/26 I. Introduction 1. Gabriela Carina Knaul de Albuquerque e Silva took up her functions as Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers on 1 August 2009. This is her first thematic report to the Human Rights Council. The report examines the need for the provision of adequate human rights education for judges and lawyers in order for them to discharge their function of applying human rights principles and standards in an independent manner. 2. In analysing this complex topic, the Special Rapporteur refers regional principles, norms and standards relevant to the independence of lawyers, the work of the United Nations human rights treaty procedures and the observations of her two predecessors, Param Leandro Despouy. to international and of the judiciary and bodies and special Cumaraswamy and II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur A. International meetings 3. In September 2009, the Special Rapporteur participated in an induction session for new special procedures mandate holders organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). On this occasion, the Special Rapporteur met the permanent representatives of Azerbaijan, Colombia and Hungary to the United Nations Office at Geneva and members of several non-governmental organizations working in areas relevant to her mandate. 4. In October 2009, the Special Rapporteur attended the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly, at which she outlined her vision of the mandate and presented the final report of her predecessor (A/63/271), which analysed safeguards to be established at the domestic level in order to ensure the independence of lawyers and the legal profession. On this occasion, the Special Rapporteur held a meeting with the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations. She also met the Rule of Law and Justice Adviser of the United Nations Development Programme and staff of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and non-governmental organizations, among them, Lawyers for Lawyers. 5. On 9 and 10 November 2009, the Special Rapporteur was a keynote speaker at a meeting held in Brazil on the drafting of an Ibero-American regional treaty aimed at ensuring the independence of the judiciary. 6. On 16 and 17 November 2009, the Special Rapporteur attended the Colloquium for Judges, on Equality and Non-Discrimination, held in Bandos, Maldives, and gave a presentation on the role of judges in the application of international standards. B. Country visits 7. At the invitation of the Government of Colombia, the Special Rapporteur visited the country from 7 to 16 December 2009. The resulting mission report is contained in addendum 2 to the present report. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Colombia for its cooperation before and during the visit. 8. The Government of Mexico has invited the Special Rapporteur to carry out an official mission to the country during the second half of 2010. 4 GE.10-12622