The Special Rapporteur devoted his second annual report to the Human Rights Council to the role that judicial councils and/or other bodies independent from the legislative and executive branches of powers play in ensuring the independence of the judiciary. The report builds on the annual report drafted by former Special Rapporteur, Mr. Leandro Despouy in 2009 (A/HRC/11/41, paras. 23-34 and 52-72), and takes into account relevant provisions of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary (in particular principles 10-13 and 17-20).

Statement of the Special Rapporteur at the 38^th session: English | Spanish