Press Release: Fair trial rights: Suspects to receive a ‘letter of rights’ in criminal proceedings following European Parliament vote

Suspects in the European Union will soon receive a ‘letter of rights’ listing their basic rights during criminal proceedings following a vote in the European Parliament.

The European Commission proposed the measure in July 2010 as part of its efforts to ensure people have a right to a fair trial throughout the EU. It is the second step in a series of measures to set common EU standards in criminal cases. The measure is part of the Commission's efforts to bolster fair trial rights EU-wide and improve mutual trust amongst judicial authorities. Following the Parliament's endorsement, the measure will now pass to ministers for final adoption by the Council in the coming weeks before becoming law.

European Commission: Memo/11/906: Statement by Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Justice Commissioner, on the European Protection Order http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/906&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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