Statement by Sweden in the Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers

Madam Vice-President,

Sweden would like to thank the Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers, Mr. Diego García-Sayán, for highlighting how corruption, by impacting the independence of the judiciary, threatens the respect for human rights. As noted in your report, corruption is becoming one of the major obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and it is a major threat to democracy and human rights.

One of the priorities under my government's Drive for Democracy is to strengthen respect for the rule of law and promote effective and independent institutions, free from corruption.

Corruption affects the ability of judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other legal professionals to carry out their work in an impartial and independent manner, which in turn reduces society's confidence in public institutions. We must strengthen the independence of the judiciary and ensure that it can resist attempts by political authorities or corrupt forces to exert control over it.

Mr. García-Sayán, as you note, international cooperation within the judiciary can help strengthening respect for the rule of law. Could you share any best practices in how cooperation between states can strengthen the judiciary's resistance against corruption?

I thank you.