RIYADH, 21 October — A special UN human rights envoy arrived here yesterday on a landmark tour during which he is expected to visit jails and courts, a UN spokesman said.
Dato Param Cumaraswamy, UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, will hold talks with a number of Saudi officials, the spokesman said.
During his week-long visit, the Malaysian national is scheduled to meet with judges, lawyers and intellectuals, university professors and others concerned with human rights.
He is also to hold meetings with 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.
The government, which invited Cumaraswamy, said earlier this month that it would open its jails and courts for the UN envoy during his visit.
