A special United Nations human rights envoy arrived in Riyadh Sunday on a landmark visit during which he is expected to visit prisons and courts, a UN spokesman said.
Dato Param Cumaraswamy, UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, is to hold talks with a number of Saudi officials, the spokesman said, according to Arab News.
In the course of his week-long stay, the Malaysian national is scheduled to meet with judges, lawyers and intellectuals, university professors and others concerned with human rights. In addition, he is also to hold meetings with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and the Kingdom’s top judiciary officials.
A report from the visit will be presented at next spring’s annual session of the commission in Geneva. For its part, the government, which invited Cumaraswamy, said earlier this month that it would open its jails and courts for the UN special envoy during his visit. (Albawaba.com)
