The Special Rapporteur looks forward to observing the impact that amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure will have on improving access to legal counsel, and encourages the Government to guarantee this right for all accused, regardless of the allegations against them. He notes that the Government should further ensure that national laws support the independence of lawyers, in accordance with international norms and standards, and implores the Islamic Republic of Iran to release all lawyers that appear to have been imprisoned for protected activities in defence of their clients, such as raising awareness about fair trial concerns.