Protecting defendants' rights across the EU

The rights of suspects and defendants in criminal proceedings should be strengthened step by step. To that effect, the EU justice ministers reached agreement on 23 October on a resolution mapping out common minimum standards to be applied all over the Union.

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More and more Europeans travel, study and work outside their home country. That means that if they happen to become involved in legal proceedings, it is more likely than before to be in another member state. They may be facing a criminal charge but do not speak or understand the language used by the judicial authorities. In such cases, it is of vital importance to have access to an interpreter and to have essential procedural documents translated.

A proposal to ensure the right to interpretation and translation is a first step which should lead to the series of new measures to be introduced. A deal was reached on this issue at the meeting on 23 October. Other rights to be specially protected include the right to legal aid and the right to have at least one other person and the competent consular authorities informed when someone is deprived of liberty.

All member states are parties to the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers the procedural rights of those suspected or accused of a criminal offence. However, implementation of these rights throughout the old continent is not consistent. The goal of this further action is not only to protect the individual but also to ensure that the member states have confidence in each other's criminal justice systems, thus paving the way for more efficient cooperation in this area.

More information:
Council press release (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference