Right to a fair trial: EU ministers adopt new rules to guarantee presumption of innocence

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 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.

"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,” Commissioner Vĕra Jourová, EU's Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, said.

“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.”

The new rules apply to all people suspected or accused in criminal proceedings. They will enforce the following fundamental rights:

• Innocence until proven guilty: The new rules prohibit public authorities and judicial decisions from making any public references to guilt, before a person is proven guilty. There is now a common definition across all Member States of what the presumption of innocence is.
• Burden of proof on the prosecution: The new rules clarify that the burden of proof for establishing guilt is on the prosecution, rather than on the accused person to prove that they are not guilty. Any doubt is to the benefit of the suspected or accused person.
• Right to remain silent: The right to remain silent and not to self-incriminate are also protected. This cannot be used against suspects and accused persons to secure conviction.
• Right to be present at trial: The right to be present at trial is essential to guarantee a fair trial. Breaching this right will grant suspects or accused persons a right to a new trial.

The new rules are based on EU fundamental rights laid down in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights. The rights set in the Directive will be part of EU law and will be enforced as such by the Member States.

These EU fundamental rights will be equally applied on the ground in all EU Member States. This will enhance the trust Member States place in each other's judicial decisions and it will allow easier mutual recognition of criminal justice decisions.

Next steps

Following today's formal adoption of the new rules by Council, Member States will have two years to comply with the Directive. The Commission will work closely with Member States to ensure that the Directive is correctly implemented.