Memo: Another piece of the procedural rights puzzle to fall into place: Parliamentary committee votes to back Commission proposal on access to a lawyer

A new law to guarantee the rights of all citizens to be advised by a lawyer when facing criminal proceedings in the European Union moved a step closer to adoption today after a vote by the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) to support the Commission’s proposal. The new law would mean anyone who is a suspect – no matter where they are in the European Union – would be guaranteed the right to see a lawyer from the earliest stages of proceedings until their conclusion. The new rules would also ensure that anyone arrested has the opportunity to communicate with their family. If they are in another EU country, citizens would have the right to be in contact with their country’s consulate.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: Commission welcomes breakthrough on its proposal to guarantee citizens’ rights to access a lawyer and on the right to communicate upon arrest http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-commission-welcomes-breakthrough-on-its-proposal-to-guarantee-citizens-rights-to-access-a-lawyer-and-on-the-right-to-communicate-upon-arrest/

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