Press Release: Fair trial rights: EU governments endorse law ensuring suspects’ right to information in criminal proceedings

EU Member States have backed a draft law that ensures defendants’ right to information in criminal proceedings just four months after the Commission’s July 2010 proposal. Suspects of a criminal offence will have to be informed of their rights in a language they understand. The measure will ensure that EU countries will give anyone arrested – or the subject of a European Arrest Warrant – a Letter of Rights listing their basic rights during criminal proceedings. The Commission has provided Member States with a model letter, which will be translated into 22 EU languages. The European Parliament will now have to vote on the measure. Along with the right to translation and interpretation, the right to information in criminal proceedings is part of a series of fair trial measures that aims to boost confidence in the EU’s single area of justice.

ESO: Background Information: European Commission promotes the right to information in criminal proceedings http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-commission-promotes-the-right-to-information-in-criminal-proceedings/

---