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EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

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Title VI

Justice

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Article 47 - Right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial

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Article 47 - Right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial

Everyone whose rights and freedoms guaranteed by the law of the Union are violated has the right to an effective remedy before a tribunal in compliance with the conditions laid down in this Article.
Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal previously established by law. Everyone shall have the possibility of being advised, defended and represented.
Legal aid shall be made available to those who lack sufficient resources in so far as such aid is necessary to ensure effective access to justice.

CHARTERPEDIA RESOURCES

Explanations

  • Text:

    The first paragraph is based on Article 13 of the ECHR:

    ‘Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity.’

    However, in Union law the protection is more extensive since it guarantees the right to an effective remedy before a court. The Court of Justice enshrined that right in its judgment of 15 May 1986 as a general principle of Union law (Case 222/84 Johnston [1986] ECR 1651; see also judgment of 15 October 1987, Case 222/86 Heylens [1987] ECR 4097 and judgment of 3 December 1992, Case C-97/91 Borelli [1992] ECR I-6313). According to the Court, that general principle of Union law also applies to the Member States when they are implementing Union law. The inclusion of this precedent in the Charter has not been intended to change the system of judicial review laid down by the Treaties, and particularly the rules relating to admissibility for direct actions before the Court of Justice of the European Union. The European Convention has considered the Union's system of judicial review including the rules on admissibility, and confirmed them while amending them as to certain aspects, as reflected in Articles 251 to 281 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular in the fourth paragraph of Article 263. Article 47 applies to the institutions of the Union and of Member States when they are implementing Union law and does so for all rights guaranteed by Union law.

    The second paragraph corresponds to Article 6(1) of the ECHR which reads as follows:

    ‘In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law. Judgment shall be pronounced publicly but the press and public may be excluded from all or part of the trial in the interests of morals, public order or national security in a democratic society, where the interests of juveniles or the protection of the private life of the parties so require, or to the extent strictly necessary in the opinion of the court in special circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice.’

    In Union law, the right to a fair hearing is not confined to disputes relating to civil law rights and obligations. That is one of the consequences of the fact that the Union is a community based on the rule of law as stated by the Court in Case 294/83, ‘Les Verts’ v European Parliament (judgment of 23 April 1986, [1986] ECR 1339). Nevertheless, in all respects other than their scope, the guarantees afforded by the ECHR apply in a similar way to the Union.

    With regard to the third paragraph, it should be noted that in accordance with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, provision should be made for legal aid where the absence of such aid would make it impossible to ensure an effective remedy (ECHR judgment of 9 October 1979, Airey, Series A, Volume 32, p. 11). There is also a system of legal assistance for cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

    Source:
    Official Journal of the European Union C 303/17 - 14.12.2007
    Preamble - Explanations relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights:
    These explanations were originally prepared under the authority of the Praesidium of the Convention which drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Although they do not as such have the status of law, they are a valuable tool of interpretation intended to clarify the provisions of the Charter.

Case Law References

National Constitutional Law

50 results found

  • Spain / Constitution of the Kingdom of Spain
    URL:
    Constitutión Española
    Country:
    Spain

    Section 24 1. All persons have the right to obtain effective protection from the judges and the courts in the exercise of their rights and legitimate interests, and in no case may there be a lack of defense.2. Likewise, all have the right to the ordinary judge predetermined by law; to defense and assistance by a lawyer; to be informed of the charges brought against them; to a public trial without undue delays and with full guarantees; to the use of evidence appropriate to their defense; not to make self-incriminating statements; not to plead themselves guilty; and to be presumed innocent.The law shall specify the cases in which, for reasons of family relationship or professional secrecy, it shall not be compulsory to make statements regarding allegedly criminal offences.
    ...
    Section 54 An organic act shall regulate the institution of the Defender of the People (Defensor del Pueblo) as high commissioner of the Cortes Generales, appointed by them to defend the rights contained in this Part; for this purpose he or she may supervise the activity of the Administration and report thereon to the Cortes Generales.

    ...
    Section 117 1. Justice emanates from the people and is administered on behalf of the King by judges and magistrates members of the Judicial Power who shall be independent, shall have fixity of tenure, shall be accountable for their acts and subject only to the rule of law. 2. Judges and magistrates may only be dismissed, suspended, transferred or retired on the grounds and subject to the safeguards provided for by the law. 3. The exercise of judicial authority in any kind of action, both in ruling and having judgments executed, is vested exclusively in the courts and tribunals laid down by the law, in accordance with the rules of jurisdiction and procedure which may be established therein. 4. Judges and courts shall not exercise any powers other than those indicated in the foregoing subsection and those which are expressly allocated to them by law as a guarantee of any right.5. The principle of jurisdictional unity is the basis of the organization and operation of the courts. The law shall make provision for the exercise of military jurisdiction strictly within military framework and in cases of state of siege (martial law), in accordance with the principles of the Constitution. 6. Courts of exception are prohibited.
    ...
    Section 119 Justice shall be free when thus provided for by law, and shall in any case be so in respect of those who have insufficient means to sue in court.
    ...
    Section 120 1. Judicial proceedings shall be public, with the exceptions contemplated in the laws on procedure.2. Proceedings shall be predominantly oral, especially in criminal cases. 3. Judgments shall always specify the grounds therefore, and they shall be delivered in a public hearing.

  • Suomen perustuslaki
    URL:
    Suomen perustuslaki
    Country:
    Finland

    21 § Oikeusturva Jokaisella on oikeus saada asiansa käsitellyksi asianmukaisesti ja ilman aiheetonta viivytystä lain mukaan toimivaltaisessa tuomioistuimessa tai muussa viranomaisessa sekä oikeus saada oikeuksiaan ja velvollisuuksiaan koskeva päätös tuomioistuimen tai muun riippumattoman lainkäyttöelimen käsiteltäväksi. Käsittelyn julkisuus sekä oikeus tulla kuulluksi, saada perusteltu päätös ja hakea muutosta samoin kuin muut oikeudenmukaisen oikeudenkäynnin ja hyvän hallinnon takeet turvataan lailla.

  • The Belgian Constitution
    URL:
    The Belgian Constitution
    Country:
    Belgium

    Article 12.The freedom of the individual is guaranteed.No one can be prosecuted except in the cases provided for by the law, and in the form prescribed by the law.(...) Article 13.No one can be separated, against his will, from the judge that the law has assigned to him. Article 14.No punishment can be introduced or administered except by virtue of the law. Article 23.Everyone has the right to lead a life in keeping with human dignity.
    To this end, the laws, federate laws and rules referred to in Article 134 guarantee
    economic, social and cultural rights, taking into account corresponding obligations, and
    determine the conditions for exercising them:(...) 2° the right to social security, to health care and to social, medical and legal aid;(...) Article 144.Disputes about civil rights belong exclusively to the competence of the courts. However, the law can empower the Council of State or federal administrative courts, in accordance with the terms it specifies, to rule on the effects that their decisions have with respect to civil law. Article 145.Disputes about political rights belong to the competence of the courts, except for the exceptions established by the law. Article 146. A court and a body capable of rendering judgment can only be established by virtue of a law. No extraordinary courts or commissions may be created, no matter under which designation. Article 148. Court hearings are public, unless such public access endangers morals or the peace; if such is the case, the Court so declares in a judgment.In cases of political or press offences, proceedings can only be conducted in camera on the basis of a unanimous vote. Article 149.Each judgment is supported by reasons. It is pronounced publicly.

  • The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus
    URL:
    The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus
    Country:
    Cyprus

    Article 30
    1. No person shall be denied access to the court assigned to him by or under this Constitution. The establishment of judicial committees or exceptional courts under any name whatsoever is prohibited.
    2. In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, every person is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent, impartial and competent court established by law. Judgement shall be reasoned and pronounced in public session, but the press and the public may be excluded from all or any part of the trial upon a decision of the court where it is in the interest of the security of the Republic or the constitutional order or the public order or the public safety or the public morals or where the interests of juveniles or the protection of the private life of the parties so require or, in special circumstances where, in the opinion of the court, publicity would prejudice the interests of justice.
    3. Every person has the right -
    (a) to be informed of the reasons why he is required to appear before the court;
    (b) to present his case before the court and to have sufficient time necessary for its preparation;
    (c) to adduce or cause to be adduced his evidence and to examine witnesses according to law;
    (d) to have a lawyer of his own choice and to have free legal assistance where the interests of justice so require and as provided by law;
    (e) to have free assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand or speak the language used in court.

  • The Constitutional Act of Denmark
    URL:
    The Constitutional Act of Denmark
    Country:
    Denmark

    Section 61. The exercise of judicial authority shall be governed only by statute. Extraordinary courts of justice with judicial authority shall not be established.
    Section 62. The administration of justice shall always remain independent of administrative authority. Rules to this effect shall be laid down by statute.
    Section 63. Subsection 1. The courts of justice shall be empowered to decide any question relating to the scope of the executive’s authority; though any person wishing to question such authority shall not, by taking the case to the courts of justice, avoid temporary compliance with orders given by the executive authority. Subsection 2. Questions relating to the scope of the executive’s authority may by statute be referred for decision to one or more administrative courts, except that an appeal against the decision of the administrative courts shall be referred to the highest court of the Realm. Rules governing this procedure shall be laid down by statute.
    Section 64. In the performance of their duties, the judges shall be governed solely by the law. Judges shall not be dismissed except by judgement, nor shall they be transferred against their will, except in cases in which a rearrangement of the courts of justice is made. A judge who has completed his sixty-fifth year may, however, be retired, but without loss of income up to the time when he is due for retirement on account of age.
    Section 65. Subsection 1. In the administration of justice all proceedings shall to the widest possible extent be public and oral. Subsection 2. Laymen shall participate in criminal proceedings. The cases and the form in which such participation shall take place, including which cases shall be tried by jury, shall be provided for by statute.
    Section 71. Subsection 2. A person shall be deprived of his liberty only when this is warranted by law. Subsection 3. Any person who is taken into custody shall be brought before a judge within twenty-four hours. When the person taken into custody cannot be released immediately, the judge shall decide, in an order to be given as soon as possible and at the latest within three days, stating the grounds,
    whether the person taken into custody shall be committed to prison; and in cases in which he can be released on bail, the judge shall also determine the nature and amount of such bail. This provision
    may be disregarded by statute as far as Greenland is concerned, if for local considerations such departure may be deemed necessary. Subsection 4. The pronouncement of the judge may be separately appealed against at once to a higher court of justice by the person concerned. Subsection 5. No person shall be remanded in custody for an offence which can involve only punishment by fine or simple detention.

  • The Fundamental Law of Hungary
    URL:
    The Fundamental Law of Hungary
    Country:
    Hungary

    Article XXVIII (Freedom and Responsibility) (1) Everyone shall have the right to have any charge against him or her, or his or her rights and obligations in any litigation, adjudicated within a reasonable time in a fair and public trial by an independent and impartial court established by an Act. […]
    (3) Persons subject to criminal proceedings shall have the right to defence at all stages of the procedure. Defence counsels shall not be held liable for their opinion expressed while providing legal defence. […]
    (7) Everyone shall have the right to seek legal remedy against any court, authority or other administrative decision which violates his or her rights or legitimate interests.

  • Tο Σύνταγμα της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας
    URL:
    Tο Σύνταγμα της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας
    Country:
    Cyprus

    ΑΡΘΡΟΝ 30
    1. Εις ουδένα δύναται ν’ απαγορευθή η προσφυγή ενώπιον του δικαστηρίου, εις ο δικαιούται να προσφύγη δυνάμει του Συντάγματος. Η σύστασις δικαστικών επιτροπών ή εκτάκτων δικαστηρίων υπό οιονδήποτε όνομα απαγορεύεται.
    2. Έκαστος, κατά την διάγνωσιν των αστικών αυτού δικαιωμάτων και υποχρεώσεων ή οιασδήποτε κατ’ αυτού ποινικής κατηγορίας, δικαιούται ανεπηρεάστου, δημοσίας ακροαματικής διαδικασίας εντός ευλόγου χρόνου, ενώπιον ανεξαρτήτου, αμερολήπτου και αρμοδίου δικαστηρίου ιδρυομένου διά νόμου.
    Αι αποφάσεις των δικαστηρίων δέον να είναι ητιολογημέναι και ν’ απαγγέλλωνται εν δημοσία συνεδριάσει, πλην όμως ο τύπος και το κοινόν δύνανται ν’ αποκλεισθώσιν εξ ολοκλήρου ή μέρους της δίκης τη αποφάσει του δικαστηρίου, οσάκις απαιτή τούτο το συμφέρον της ασφαλείας της Δημοκρατίας ή της συνταγματικής τάξεως ή της δημοσίας τάξεως ή της δημοσίας ασφαλείας ή των δημοσίων ηθών ή το συμφέρον των ανηλίκων ή η προστασία της ιδιωτικής ζωής των διαδίκων ή υπό ειδικάς συνθήκας, καθ’ ας κατά την κρίσιν του δικαστηρίου η δημοσιότης θα ηδύνατο να επηρεάσει δυσμενώς το συμφέρον της δικαιοσύνης.
    3. Έκαστος έχει το δικαίωμα:
    (α) να πληροφορηθή τους λόγους, δι’ ους καλείται να εμφανισθή ενώπιον του δικαστηρίου,
    (β) να προβάλη τους ισχυρισμούς αυτού ενώπιον του δικαστηρίου και να έχη χρόνον επαρκή διά την προπαρασκευήν τούτων,
    (γ) να προσάγη ή να προκαλή την προσαγωγήν των μέσων αποδείξεως και να εξετάζη μάρτυρας συμφώνως τω νόμω,
    (δ) να έχη συνήγορον της ιδίας αυτού εκλογής και να έχη δωρεάν νομικήν αρωγήν, οσάκις το συμφέρον της δικαιοσύνης απαιτή τούτο και όπως ο νόμος ορίζει,
    (ε) να έχει δωρεάν συμπαράστασιν διερμηνέως, εφ’ όσον δεν δύναται να κατανοή ή ομιλή την εν τω δικαστηρίω χρησιμοποιουμένην γλώσσαν.

  • Ustav Republike Hrvatske
    URL:
    Ustav Republike Hrvatske
    Country:
    Croatia

    Članak 18.
    Jamči se pravo na žalbu protiv pojedinačnih pravnih akata donesenih u postupku prvog stupnja pred sudom ili drugim ovlaštenim tijelom.
    Pravo na žalbu može biti iznimno isključeno u slučajevima određenima zakonom ako je osigurana druga pravna zaštita.

    Članak 26.
    Svi su državljani Republike Hrvatske i stranci jednaki pred sudovima i drugim državnim i inim tijelima koja imaju javne ovlasti.

    Članak 28.
    Svatko je nedužan i nitko ga ne može smatrati krivim za kazneno djelo dok mu se pravomoćnom sudskom presudom ne utvrdi krivnja.

    Članak 29.
    Svatko ima pravo da zakonom ustanovljeni neovisni i nepristrani sud pravično i u razumnom roku odluči o njegovim pravima i obvezama, ili o sumnji ili optužbi zbog kažnjivog djela.

    U slučaju sumnje ili optužbe zbog kažnjivog djela osumnjičenik, okrivljenik ili optuženik ima pravo:
    – da u najkraćem roku bude obaviješten potanko i na jeziku koji razumije o naravi i razlozima optužbe koja se diže protiv njega i o dokazima koji ga terete,
    – da ima odgovarajuće vrijeme i mogućnost za pripremu obrane,
    – na branitelja i nesmetano uspostavljanje veze s braniteljem, i s tim pravom mora biti upoznat,
    – da se brani sam ili uz branitelja po vlastitom izboru, a ako nema dovoljno sredstava da plati branitelja, ima pravo na besplatnog branitelja pod uvjetom propisanim zakonom,
    – da mu se sudi u njegovoj nazočnosti, ukoliko je dostupan sudu,
    – da ispituje ili dade ispitati svjedoke optužbe i da zahtijeva da se osigura nazočnost i ispitivanje svjedoka obrane pod istim uvjetima kao i svjedoka optužbe,
    – na besplatnu pomoć tumača ako ne razumije ili ne govori jezik koji se upotrebljava na sudu.
    Osumnjičenik, okrivljenik i optuženik ne smije se siliti da prizna krivnju.

    Dokazi pribavljeni na nezakonit način ne mogu se uporabiti u sudskom postupku.

    Kazneni postupak može se pokrenuti samo pred sudom na zahtjev ovlaštenog tužitelja.

  • Το Σύνταγμα της Ελλάδας
    URL:
    Το Σύνταγμα της Ελλάδας
    Country:
    Greece

    Άρθρο 8 Κανένας δεν στερείται χωρίς τη θέλησή του το δικαστή που του έχει ορίσει ο νόμος. Δικαστικές επιτροπές και έκτακτα δικαστήρια, με οποιοδήποτε όνομα, δεν επιτρέπεται να συσταθούν.[...] Άρθρο 20 (1).Καθένας έχει δικαίωμα στην παροχή έννομης προστασίας από τα δικαστήρια και μπορεί να αναπτύξει σ' αυτά τις απόψεις του για τα δικαιώματα ή συμφέροντά του, όπως νόμος ορίζει. (2).Το δικαίωμα της προηγούμενης ακρόασης του ενδιαφερομένου ισχύει και για κάθε διοικητική ενέργεια ή μέτρο που λαμβάνεται σε βάρος των δικαιωμάτων ή συμφερόντων του [...].Άρθρο 87 (1).Η δικαιοσύνη απονέμεται από δικαστήρια συγκροτούμενα από τακτικούς δικαστές, που απολαμβάνουν λειτουργική προσωπική ανεξαρτησία.(2).Οι δικαστές κατά την άσκηση των καθηκόντων τους υπόκεινται μόνο στο Σύνταγμα και στους νόμους και σε καμία περίπτωση δεν υποχρεούνται να συμμορφώνονται με διατάξεις που έχουν τεθεί κατά κατάλυση του Συντάγματος.(3).Η επιθεώρηση των τακτικών δικαστών ενεργείται από δικαστές ανώτερου βαθμού καθώς και από τον Εισαγγελέα, τους Αντεισαγγελείς του Αρείου Πάγου, των δε εισαγγελέων από αρεοπαγίτες και εισαγγελείς ανώτερου βαθμού, σύμφωνα με τους ορισμούς του νόμου. [...] Άρθρο 97(1).Τα κακουργήματα και τα πολιτικά εγκλήματα δικάζονται από μικτά ορκωτά δικαστήρια που συγκροτούνται από τακτικούς δικαστές και ενόρκους, όπως νόμος ορίζει. Οι αποφάσεις των δικαστηρίων αυτών υπόκεινται στα ένδικα μέσα που ορίζει ο νόμος.(2).Κακουργήματα και πολιτικά εγκλήματα, που με συντακτικές πράξεις, ψηφίσματα και ειδικούς νόμους έχουν υπαχθεί έως την ισχύ του Συντάγματος στη δικαιοδοσία των εφετείων, εξακολουθούν να δικάζονται από αυτά, εφόσον δεν υπαχθούν με νόμο στην αρμοδιότητα των μικτών ορκωτών δικαστηρίων. Με νόμο μπορεί να υπαχθούν στη δικαιοδοσία των ίδιων εφετείων και άλλα κακουργήματα.(3).Τα εγκλήματα κάθε βαθμού που διαπράττονται δια του Τύπου υπάγονται στα τακτικά ποινικά δικαστήρια, όπως νόμος ορίζει. [...]

  • КОНСТИТУЦИЯ на Република България
    URL:
    КОНСТИТУЦИЯ на Република България
    Country:
    Bulgaria

    Чл. 30 [...] (4) Всеки има право на адвокатска защита от момента на задържането му или на привличането му като обвиняем.(5) Всеки има право да се среща насаме с лицето, което го защитава. Тайната на техните съобщения е неприкосновена. Чл. 31(1) Всеки обвинен в престъпление следва да бъде предаден на съдебната власт в законно определения срок. [...] (4) Не се допускат ограничения на правата на обвиняемия, надхвърлящи необходимото за осъществяване на правосъдието.Чл. 45. Гражданите имат право на жалби, предложения и петиции до държавните органи. Чл. 56 Всеки гражданин има право на защита, когато са нарушени или застрашени негови права или законни интереси. В държавните учреждения той може да се явява и със защитник. Чл. 117. (1) Съдебната власт защитава правата и законните интереси на гражданите, юридическите лица и държавата. [...] Чл. 120. (1) Съдилищата осъществяват контрол за законност на актове и действия на административните органи. (2) Гражданите и юридическите лица могат да обжалват всички административни актове, които ги засягат, освен изрично посочените със закон. Чл. 122(1) Гражданите и юридическите лица имат право на защита във всички стадии на процеса.(2) Редът за упражняване правото на защита се определя със закон.

EU Law

35 results found

  • Directive 2012/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 on the right to information in criminal proceedings
    URL:
    Directive 2012/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 on the right to information in criminal proceedings

    Preamble 


    (5) Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (hereinafter ‘the Charter’) and Article 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter ‘the ECHR’) enshrine the right to a fair trial. Article 48(2) of the Charter guarantees respect for the rights of the defence.

    (6) Article 6 of the Charter and Article 5 ECHR enshrine the right to liberty and security of person. Any restrictions on that right must not exceed those permitted in accordance with Article 5 ECHR and inferred from the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.


    (14) This Directive relates to measure B of the Roadmap. It lays down common minimum standards to be applied in the field of information about rights and about the accusation to be given to persons suspected or accused of having committed a criminal offence, with a view to enhancing mutual trust among Member States. This Directive builds on the rights laid down in the Charter, and in particular Articles 6, 47 and 48 thereof, by building upon Articles 5 and 6 ECHR as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights. In this Directive, the term ‘accusation’ is used to describe the same concept as the term ‘charge’ used in Article 6(1) ECHR.

     

    Article 1: Subject matter

    This Directive lays down rules concerning the right to information of suspects or accused persons, relating to their rights in criminal proceedings and to the accusation against them. It also lays down rules concerning the right to information of persons subject to a European Arrest Warrant relating to their rights.

  • Directive (EU) 2016/343 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings
    URL:
    (Directive on the strengthening of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings)

    Preamble:

    (13) This Directive acknowledges the different needs and levels of protection of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence as regards natural and legal persons. As regards natural persons, such protection is reflected in wellestablished
    case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. The Court of Justice has, however, recognised that the rights flowing from the presumption of innocence do not accrue to legal persons in the same way as they do to natural persons.
    (14) At the current stage of development of national law and of case-law at national and Union level, it is premature to legislate at Union level on the presumption of innocence with regard to legal persons. This Directive should not, therefore, apply to legal persons. This should be without prejudice to the application of the presumption of innocence as laid down, in particular, in the ECHR and as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights and by the Court of Justice, to legal persons.
    (15) The presumption of innocence with regard to legal persons should be ensured by the existing legislative safeguards and case-law, the evolution of which is to determine whether there is a need for Union action.
    (16) The presumption of innocence would be violated if public statements made by public authorities, or judicial decisions other than those on guilt, referred to a suspect or an accused person as being guilty, for as long as that person has not been proved guilty according to law. Such statements and judicial decisions should not reflect an opinion that that person is guilty. This should be without prejudice to acts of the prosecution which aim to prove the guilt of the suspect or accused person, such as the indictment, and without prejudice to judicial decisions as a result of which a suspended sentence takes effect, provided that the rights of the defence are
    respected. This should also be without prejudice to preliminary decisions of a procedural nature, which are taken by judicial or other competent authorities and are based on suspicion or on elements of incriminating evidence, such as decisions on pre-trial detention, provided that such decisions do not refer to the suspect or accused person as being guilty. Before taking a preliminary decision of a procedural nature the competent authority might first have to verify that there are sufficient elements of incriminating evidence against the suspect or accused person to justify the decision concerned, and the decision could contain reference to those elements.
    ...
    (46) In order to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this Directive, Member States should send available data with regard to the implementation of the rights laid down in this Directive to the Commission. Such data could include records made by law enforcement and judicial authorities as regards remedies applied in the case of a
    breach of any of the aspects of the presumption of innocence covered by this Directive or of the right to be present at the trial.
    (47) This Directive upholds the fundamental rights and principles recognised by the Charter and by the ECHR, including the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to liberty and security, respect for private and family life, the right to the integrity of the person, the rights of the child, the integration
    of persons with disabilities, the right to an effective remedy and the right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence and the rights of the defence. Regard should be had, in particular, to Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), according to which the Union recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter, and according to which fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the ECHR and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, are to constitute general principles of Union law.
    (48) As this Directive establishes minimum rules, Member States should be able to extend the rights laid down in this Directive in order to provide a higher level of protection. The level of protection provided for by Member States should never fall below the standards provided for by the Charter or by the ECHR, as interpreted by the Court of Justice and by the European Court of Human Rights.
    (49) Since the objectives of this Directive, namely setting common minimum rules for certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and for the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
    ...
    Article 1. Subject matter:
    This directive lays down common minimum rules concerning:
    - certain aspects of the presumption of innocence in criminal proceedings;
    - the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings.
    ...
    Article 3. Presumption of innocence:
    Member States shall ensure that suspects and accused persons are presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.

  • Directive 2013/11/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC
    URL:
    (Directive on consumer ADR)

    Preamble:

    (1) Article 169(1) and point (a) of Article 169(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provide that the Union is to contribute to the attainment of a high level of consumer protection through measures adopted pursuant to Article 114 TFEU. Article 38 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union provides that Union policies are to ensure a high level of consumer protection.

    (2) In accordance with Article 26(2) TFEU, the internal market is to comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods and services is ensured. The internal market should provide consumers with added value in the form of better quality, greater variety, reasonable prices and high safety standards for goods and services, which should promote a high level of consumer protection.

    (4) Ensuring access to simple, efficient, fast and low-cost ways of resolving domestic and cross-border disputes which arise from sales or service contracts should benefit consumers and therefore boost their confidence in the market. That access should apply to online as well as to offline transactions, and is particularly important when consumers shop across borders.

    (45) The right to an effective remedy and the right to a fair trial are fundamental rights laid down in Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Therefore, ADR procedures should not be designed to replace court procedures and should not deprive consumers or traders of their rights to seek redress before the courts. This Directive should not prevent parties from exercising their right of access to the judicial system. In cases where a dispute could not be resolved through a given ADR procedure whose outcome is not binding, the parties should subsequently not be prevented from initiating judicial proceedings in relation to that dispute. Member States should be free to choose the appropriate means to achieve this objective. They should have the possibility to provide, inter alia, that limitation or prescription periods do not expire during an ADR procedure.

    (49) This Directive should not require the participation of traders in ADR procedures to be mandatory or the outcome of such procedures to be binding on traders, when a consumer has lodged a complaint against them. However, in order to ensure that consumers have access to redress and that they are not obliged to forego their claims, traders should be encouraged as far as possible to participate in ADR procedures. Therefore, this Directive should be without prejudice to any national rules making the participation of traders in such procedures mandatory or subject to incentives or sanctions or making their outcome binding on traders, provided that such legislation does not prevent the parties from exercising their right of access to the judicial system as provided for in Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

    (61) This Directive respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and specifically Articles 7, 8, 38 and 47 thereof.

    Article 1: Subject matter
    The purpose of this Directive is, through the achievement of a high level of consumer protection, to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market by ensuring that consumers can, on a voluntary basis, submit complaints against traders to entities offering independent, impartial, transparent, effective, fast and fair alternative dispute resolution procedures. This Directive is without prejudice to national legislation making participation in such procedures mandatory, provided that such legislation does not prevent the parties from exercising their right of access to the judicial system.

  • Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC
    URL:
    http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/524/oj

    Preamble:

    (1) Article 169(1) and point (a) of Article 169(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provide that the Union is to contribute to the attainment of a high level of consumer protection through measures adopted pursuant to Article 114 TFEU. Article 38 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union provides that Union policies are to ensure a high level of consumer protection.

    (2) In accordance with Article 26(2) TFEU, the internal market is to comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods and services is ensured. In order for consumers to have confidence in and benefit from the digital dimension of the internal market, it is necessary that they have access to simple, efficient, fast and low-cost ways of resolving disputes which arise from the sale of goods or the supply of services online. This is particularly important when consumers shop cross-border.‘

    (4) Fragmentation of the internal market impedes efforts to boost competitiveness and growth. Furthermore, the uneven availability, quality and awareness of simple, efficient, fast and low-cost means of resolving disputes arising from the sale of goods or provision of services across the Union constitutes a barrier within the internal market which undermines consumers’ and traders’ confidence in shopping and selling across borders.‘

    (13) The definition of ‘consumer’ should cover natural persons who are acting outside their trade, business, craft or profession. However, if the contract is concluded for purposes partly within and partly outside the person’s trade (dual purpose contracts) and the trade purpose is so limited as not to be predominant in the overall context of the supply, that person should also be considered as a consumer.‘

    (14) The definition of ‘online sales or service contract’ should cover a sales or service contract where the trader, or the trader’s intermediary, has offered goods or services through a website or by other electronic means and the consumer has ordered those goods or services on that website or by other electronic means. This should also cover cases where the consumer has accessed the website or other information society service through a mobile electronic device such as a mobile telephone.

    (26) The right to an effective remedy and the right to a fair trial are fundamental rights laid down in Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. ODR is not intended to and cannot be designed to replace court procedures, nor should it deprive consumers or traders of their rights to seek redress before the courts. This Regulation should not, therefore, prevent parties from exercising their right of access to the judicial system.

    (35) This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and specifically Articles 7, 8, 38 and 47 thereof.

    Article 1: Subject matter
    The purpose of this Regulation is, through the achievement of a high level of consumer protection, to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market, and in particular of its digital dimension by providing a European ODR platform (‘ODR platform’) facilitating the independent, impartial, transparent, effective, fast and fair out-of-court resolution of disputes between consumers and traders online.

    Article 12: Processing of personal data

    1. Access to information, including personal data, related to a dispute and stored in the database referred to in Article 11 shall be granted, for the purposes referred to in Article 10, only to the ADR entity to which the dispute was transmitted in accordance with Article 9. Access to the same information shall be granted also to ODR contact points, in so far as it is necessary, for the purposes referred to in Article 7(2) and (4).

    2. The Commission shall have access to information processed in accordance with Article 10 for the purposes of monitoring the use and functioning of the ODR platform and drawing up the reports referred to in Article 21. It shall process personal data of the users of the ODR platform in so far as it is necessary for the operation and maintenance of the ODR platform, including for the purposes of monitoring the use of the ODR platform by ADR entities and ODR contact points.

    3. Personal data related to a dispute shall be kept in the database referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article only for the time necessary to achieve the purposes for which they were collected and to ensure that data subjects are able to access their personal data in order to exercise their rights, and shall be automatically deleted, at the latest, six months after the date of conclusion of the dispute which has been transmitted to the ODR platform in accordance with point (iii) of point (c) of Article 10. That retention period shall also apply to personal data kept in national files by the ADR entity or the ODR contact point which dealt with the dispute concerned, except if the procedural rules applied by the ADR entity or any specific provisions of national law provide for a longer retention period.

    4. Each ODR advisor shall be regarded as a controller with respect to its data processing activities under this Regulation, in accordance with point (d) of Article 2 of Directive 95/46/EC, and shall ensure that those activities comply with national legislation adopted pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC in the Member State of the ODR contact point hosting the ODR advisor.

    5. Each ADR entity shall be regarded as a controller with respect to its data processing activities under this Regulation, in accordance with point (d) of Article 2 of Directive 95/46/EC, and shall ensure that those activities comply with national legislation adopted pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC in the Member State where the ADR entity is established.

    6. In relation to its responsibilities under this Regulation and the processing of personal data involved therein, the Commission shall be regarded as a controller in accordance with point (d) of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.

    Article 13: Data confidentiality and security

    1. ODR contact points shall be subject to rules of professional secrecy or other equivalent duties of confidentiality laid down in the legislation of the Member State concerned.

    2. The Commission shall take the appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of information processed under this Regulation, including appropriate data access control, a security plan and a security incident management, in accordance with Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.

    Article 14: Consumer information

    1. Traders established within the Union engaging in online sales or service contracts, and online marketplaces established within the Union, shall provide on their websites an electronic link to the ODR platform. That link shall be easily accessible for consumers. Traders established within the Union engaging in online sales or service contracts shall also state their e-mail addresses.

    2. Traders established within the Union engaging in online sales or service contracts, which are committed or obliged to use one or more ADR entities to resolve disputes with consumers, shall inform consumers about the existence of the ODR platform and the possibility of using the ODR platform for resolving their disputes. They shall provide an electronic link to the ODR platform on their websites and, if the offer is made by e-mail, in that e-mail. The information shall also be provided, where applicable, in the general terms and conditions applicable to online sales and service contracts.

    3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be without prejudice to Article 13 of Directive 2013/11/EU and the provisions on consumer information on out-of-court redress procedures contained in other Union legal acts, which shall apply in addition to this Article.

    4. The list of ADR entities referred to in Article 20(4) of Directive 2013/11/EU and its updates shall be published in the ODR platform.

    5. Member States shall ensure that ADR entities, the centres of the European Consumer Centres Network, the competent authorities defined in Article 18(1) of Directive 2013/11/EU, and, where appropriate, the bodies designated in accordance with Article 14(2) of Directive 2013/11/EU provide an electronic link to the ODR platform.

    6. Member States shall encourage consumer associations and business associations to provide an electronic link to the ODR platform.

    7. When traders are obliged to provide information in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 and with the provisions referred to in paragraph 3, they shall, where possible, provide that information together.

  • Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA
    URL:
    (Directive on Minimum protection standards of victims of crime)

    Preamble:

    (14) In applying this Directive, children's best interests must be a primary consideration, in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted on 20 November 1989. Child victims should be considered and treated as the full bearers of rights set out in this Directive and should be entitled to exercise those rights in a manner that takes into account their capacity to form their own views.
    (16) Victims of terrorism have suffered attacks that are intended ultimately to harm society. They may therefore need special attention, support and protection due to the particular nature of the crime that has been committed against them. Victims of terrorism can be under significant public scrutiny and often need social recognition and respectful treatment by society. Member States should therefore take particular account of the needs of victims of terrorism, and should seek to protect their dignity and security.’
    ‘(38) [...] A main task of these services and their staff, which play an important role in supporting the victim to recover from and overcome potential harm or trauma as a result of a criminal offence, should be to inform victims about the rights set out in this Directive so that they can take decisions in a supportive environment that treats them with dignity, respect and sensitivity. The types of support that such specialist support services should offer could include providing shelter and safe accommodation, immediate medical support, referral to medical and forensic examination for evidence in cases of rape or sexual assault, short and long-term psychological counselling, trauma care, legal advice, advocacy and specific services for children as direct or indirect victims.’
    ‘(52) Measures should be available to protect the safety and dignity of victims and their family members from secondary and repeat victimisation, from intimidation and from retaliation, such as interim injunctions or protection or restraining orders.’

    (66) This Directive respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, it seeks to promote the right to dignity, life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security, respect for private and family life, the right to property, the principle of non-discrimination, the principle of equality between women and men, the rights of the child, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and the right to a fair trial.

    Article 18 - Right to protection
    ‘Without prejudice to the rights of the defence, Member States shall ensure that measures are available to protect victims and their family members from secondary and repeat victimisation, from intimidation and from retaliation, including against the risk of emotional or psychological harm, and to protect the dignity of victims during questioning and when testifying. When necessary, such measures shall also include procedures established under national law for the physical protection of victims and their family members.’

International Law

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Publications and data

  • Fundamental Rights Report
    11
    June
    2026

    Fundamental Rights Report - Challenges and achievements in 2025

    The Fundamental Rights Report: Challenges and Achievements in 2025 is FRA’s flagship annual publication. It provides an overview of the state of fundamental rights in the EU and highlights selected critical developments from 2025. This year, it focuses on four areas: rights protection in a rapidly changing digital environment; the housing crisis and rising homelessness rates; employment challenges for people from non-EU countries; and the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The publication is a valuable resource for those seeking to stay informed about the EU’s shifting landscape of fundamental rights.
    New Africa / adobestock.com, 2026
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    29
    May
    2026

    Online fraud - people's experiences across the EU

    Online fraud represents a major criminal threat, affecting a growing number of people across the EU. This report presents findings from an EU-wide Eurobarometer survey of 26 453 respondents, focusing on responses to survey questions developed by FRA. It explores the prevalence of online fraud, who is most at risk, and which schemes people are most likely to fall victim to. It also looks at the reporting rate to the police and contact with other services, and at the impact on victims.
    Phushutter / Adobestock.com
  • Periodic updates / Series
    21
    April
    2026

    Migration and Fundamental Rights Bulletin - 1/2026

    From 2015 to 2023, FRA regularly published bulletins on fundamental rights issues related to migration and asylum. As part of the EU's 2024 Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, FRA is now restarting this reporting ahead of the June 2026 implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. This first bulletin in the new series takes stock of the situation of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees as of March 2026. It looks at key developments between January 2025 and the end of March 2026, as well as ongoing problems and new areas of concern.
    BillionPhotos.com, Adobestock.com, 2024
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    14
    April
    2026

    Operationalising the Pact on Migration and Asylum: Experiences from the hotspot approach

    In response to increased arrivals of asylum seekers, in 2015 the European Commission introduced the hotspot approach. Under this approach, the European Commission and EU agencies supported Greece and Italy in identifying, registering and fingerprinting newly arrived people. FRA regularly visited the initial reception facilities hosting them. This report looks back at the lessons learnt from 10 years of FRA visits. It identifies recurring risks to rights and highlights practical measures and promising practices to prevent or address them. These ‘lessons learnt’ can inform the implementation of the 2024 Pact on Migration and Asylum in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    3
    March
    2026

    EU gender-based violence survey - Evidence for policy and practice

    Violence against women remains widespread in the European Union (EU). This joint report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) presents detailed findings from the EU gender-based violence survey. It offers in-depth analysis of the scale, nature and drivers of violence and exposes the structural gender inequality. Building on the 2024 publication, EU gender-based violence survey - Key results, and following up on FRA’s 2014 report, Violence against women: an EU-wide survey, this report tracks trends over the last decade across the EU. Eurostat, FRA, and EIGE jointly conducted the survey. It is based on over 100,000 interviews covering all 27 EU Member States.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    24
    February
    2026

    Seeking Safety from War – Violence and rights abuses against women from Ukraine

    The start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 shocked the global community and gave rise to a
    series of urgent fundamental rights challenges across Europe. While much attention has focused on the scale of devastation and its wider impact on all Ukrainians, the war has also inflicted profound personal harm. This report sheds light on the violence, sexual harassment and exploitation experienced by women displaced from Ukraine. Drawing on a survey and in-depth interviews with women from Ukraine, the report documents the prevalence, forms and patterns of gender-based violence and sets out practical measures to improve safety, access to justice and support.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    22
    January
    2026

    Regulating online terrorist content – Balancing public safety and fundamental rights

    Online terrorist content is a threat to fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy. EU measures to tackle such content aim to prevent terrorism while upholding these values. FRA’s report looks at how online terrorist content is detected and removed under EU legislation. It highlights challenges in interpreting rules, risks of over-removal and potential impacts on freedom of expression. It finds that moderation practices by authorities and platforms can disproportionately affect certain groups, such as Muslims and Arabic speakers, while far-right content often receives less scrutiny. The findings, based on research and expert interviews with those addressing online terrorist content, offer ways to improve transparency in content moderation and to better balance public security and fundamental rights, contributing to wider debates on regulating online content responsibly.
  • In brief / Factsheet
    15
    December
    2025

    Climate change - ECtHR and CJEU Case-Law

    This factsheet outlines key judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) relating to the intersection of climate change and human rights. The issues examined include territorial jurisdiction, standards of protection, standing and victim status, and procedural guarantees in climate-related cases, including the rights of access to information. It is intended to assist legal practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in understanding and applying the evolving human rights jurisprudence in the context of climate change within the European legal space.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    4
    December
    2025

    Assessing High-risk Artificial Intelligence: Fundamental Rights Risks

    Artificial Intelligence comes with both benefits and risks. Safe AI use that accounts for fundamental rights is thus crucial. While the 2024 EU AI Act was a milestone in this regard, its broad definitions regarding AI systems and high-risk AI could introduce loopholes for fundamental rights compliance. This report offers an empirical basis for much-needed practical guidance on the Act’s implementation. Based on interviews with AI developers, sellers, and users, FRA addresses challenges of its use in critical domains, like asylum, education, and employment. Our findings help guide next steps in realising the AI Act’s potential to ensure responsible innovation.