Memo: Innocent until proven guilty: ‘Yes’, says European Parliament

On 7 April 2014, the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) backed the European Commission's proposal to guarantee respect for the presumption of innocence.

The proposal aims to guarantee respect for the presumption of innocence of all citizens suspected or accused by police and judicial authorities, and the right to be present at trial. It would in particular guarantee that (1) guilt cannot be inferred by any official decisions or statements before a final conviction; (2) the burden of proof is placed on the prosecution and any doubt benefits the suspect or accused person; (3) the right to remain silent is guaranteed and not used against suspects to secure conviction; and (4) the accused has the right to be present at the trial.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The Right to… - a Fair Trial! Commission wants more safeguards for citizens in criminal proceedings http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-right-to-a-fair-trial-commission-wants-more-safeguards-for-citizens-in-criminal-proceedings/

ESO: Background information: European Commission acts to ensure fair trial rights in the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-commission-acts-to-ensure-fair-trial-rights-in-the-eu/

ESO: Background information: The Final Stretch: Two more days for EU law on right to translation and interpretation to become reality http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-final-stretch-two-more-days-for-eu-law-on-right-to-translation-and-interpretation-to-become-reality/

ESO: Background information: EU-wide right to information at arrest is now law http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-wide-right-to-information-at-arrest-is-now-law/

ESO: Background information: Commission proposal to guarantee citizens’ rights to access a lawyer to become law http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-proposal-to-guarantee-citizens-rights-to-access-a-lawyer-to-become-law/

European Commission: Justice: Criminal Justice: Criminal law policy http://ec.europa.eu/justice/criminal/criminal-law-policy/

---