Today, Ministers from the EU Member States have adopted new rules that will guarantee the presumption of innocence of anyone accused or suspected of a crime by the police or justice authorities. The Directive also ensures that everyone benefits from the right to be present at their trial.
Today, Ministers from the EU Member States have adopted new rules that will guarantee the presumption of innocence of anyone accused or suspected of a crime by the police or justice authorities. The Directive also ensures that everyone benefits from the right to be present at their trial. The new rules, proposed by the Commission in 2013 (IP/13/1157), will ensure these fundamental rights are fully and equally respected on the ground across the EU.
Commissioner Vĕra Jourová, EU's Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, said: "The right to a fair trial is a fundamental right and must be respected in practice everywhere in Europe. Today, there are still some disparities in the protection of the presumption of innocence across the European Union. The new common rules will guarantee that the rights of citizens involved in criminal proceedings are respected by police and judicial authorities. Before the verdict, anyone accused should be protected by the presumption of innocence. A fair trial also requires suspects to benefit from the right to remain silent and to be present at their trial. This will help build a true European Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights based on mutual trust. "