Press Release: European Commission acts to ensure fair trial rights in the EU

On 9 March 2010, the European Commission proposed legislation that will help people exercise their fair trial rights anywhere in the EU when they cannot understand the language of the case. EU countries would be obliged to provide full interpretation and translation services to suspects. It is the first step in a series of measures to set common EU standards in criminal cases. The new Lisbon Treaty enables the EU to adopt measures to strengthen the rights of EU citizens, in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/10/70: Right to interpretation and to translation in criminal proceedings – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/70&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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