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Right to interpretation "a leap forward for European justice" - Hall

June 16, 2010 12:00 AM

North East MEP Fiona Hall has hailed as a "leap forward for European justice" today's European Parliament vote to give all EU citizens rights to interpretation and translations when they are questioned by police or tried in another EU country where they do not speak the language.

Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall said:

"These measures are really good news for North East holidaymakers and business people who might face legal challenges in another EU country.

"There are too many cases where people find themselves accused of a crime abroad, but are unable to understand the details of the accusation or the proceedings that are applied against them.

"And as more people cross borders under EU free movement rights, there are unacceptable miscarriages of justice due to inadequate defence safeguards including lack of proper language provision.

"What the Parliament voted for today is effective, efficient and transparent justice.

"I am delighted that the Coalition Government has decided to opt into this legislation."

The rights to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings directive can now pass into EU law, having been approved by EU governments in the Council of Ministers and now the European Parliament: it is the first EU criminal justice legislation to be negotiated under co-decision with MEPs rather than decided by national parliaments alone.

The UK (and Ireland) are both choosing to opt in to this measure, which this has the support of the full complement of 26 EU states (Denmark does not take part in any EU criminal justice initiatives).

The Directive will mean that when a suspect is arrested or taken to court in an EU country where he does not speak the local language he will for the first time under EU law have the right to good quality interpretation in all questioning, hearings and key meeting with lawyers and to translation of all essential documents.

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