eu-charter

Handvest van de grondrechten van de Europese Unie

Artikel 48 - Vermoeden van onschuld en rechten van de verdediging

Artikel 48 - Vermoeden van onschuld en rechten van de verdediging

1. Eenieder tegen wie een vervolging is ingesteld, wordt voor onschuldig gehouden totdat zijn schuld in rechte is komen vast te staan. 2. Aan eenieder tegen wie een vervolging is ingesteld, wordt de eerbiediging van de rechten van de verdediging gegarandeerd.

    • Text:

      Artikel 48 is hetzelfde als artikel 6, leden 2 en 3, van het EVRM, dat als volgt luidt:

      `2. Eenieder tegen wie een vervolging is ingesteld, wordt voor onschuldig gehouden totdat zijn schuld in rechte is komen vast te staan. 3. Eenieder tegen wie een vervolging is ingesteld, heeft in het bijzonder de volgende rechten:

      a) onverwijld, in een taal die hij verstaat en in bijzonderheden, op de hoogte te worden gesteld van de aard en de reden van de tegen hem ingebrachte beschuldiging;

      b) te beschikken over de tijd en faciliteiten die nodig zijn voor de voorbereiding van zijn verdediging;

      c) zichzelf te verdedigen of daarbij de bijstand te hebben van een raadsman naar eigen keuze of, indien hij niet over voldoende middelen beschikt om een raadsman te bekostigen, kosteloos door een toegevoegd advocaat te kunnen worden bijgestaan, indien de belangen van een behoorlijke rechtspleging dit eisen;

      d) de getuigen à charge te ondervragen of te doen ondervragen en het oproepen en de ondervraging van getuigen à décharge te doen geschieden onder dezelfde voorwaarden als het geval is met de getuigen à charge;

      e) zich kosteloos te doen bijstaan door een tolk indien hij de taal die ter terechtzitting wordt gebezigd niet verstaat of niet spreekt.`. Overeenkomstig artikel 52, lid 3, heeft dit recht dezelfde inhoud en reikwijdte als het recht dat door het EVRM wordt gewaarborgd.

      Source:
      Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie C 303/17 - 14.12.2007
      Preamble - Explanations relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights:
      Deze toelichtingen werden oorspronkelijk opgesteld onder de verantwoordelijkheid van het praesidium van de Conventie die het Handvest van de grondrechten van de Europese Unie heeft opgesteld. Zij zijn bijgewerkt onder de verantwoordelijkheid van het praesidium van de Europese Conventie, in het licht van de wijzigingen die door laatstgenoemde Conventie in het Handvest zijn aangebracht (met name in artikel 51 en 52) en van verdere ontwikkelingen in het recht van de Unie. Hoewel zij op zich geen juridische waarde hebben, vormen zij een waardevol hulpmiddel voor de interpretatie, bedoeld om de bepalingen van het Handvest te verduidelijken.
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    43 results found

    • Grondwet voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
      Land:
      Netherlands

      Artikel 17 Niemand kan tegen zijn wil worden afgehouden van de rechter die de wet hem toekent.Artikel 181. Ieder kan zich in rechte en in administratief beroep doen bijstaan.

    • Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
      Land:
      Czechia

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    • Listina základních práv a svobod
      Land:
      Czechia

      Článek 37 (1) Každý má právo odepřít výpověď, jestliže by jí způsobil nebezpečí trestního stíhání sobě nebo osobě blízké. (2) Každý má právo na právní pomoc v řízení před soudy, jinými státními orgány či orgány veřejné správy, a to od počátku řízení. (3) Všichni účastníci jsou si v řízení rovni. (4) Kdo prohlásí, že neovládá jazyk, jímž se vede jednání, má právo na tlumočníka. Článek 40 (1) Jen soud rozhoduje o vině a trestu za trestné činy. (2) Každý, proti němuž je vedeno trestní řízení, je považován za nevinného, pokud pravomocným odsuzujícím rozsudkem soudu nebyla jeho vina vyslovena. (3) Obviněný má právo, aby mu byl poskytnut čas a možnost k přípravě obhajoby a aby se mohl hájit sám nebo prostřednictvím obhájce. Jestliže si obhájce nezvolí, ačkoliv ho podle zákona mít musí, bude mu ustanoven soudem. Zákon stanoví, v kterých případech má obviněný právo na bezplatnou pomoc obhájce. (4) Obviněný má právo odepřít výpověď; tohoto práva nesmí být žádným způsobem zbaven.

    • Human Rights Act 1998
      Land:
      United Kingdom

      See ECHR provisions of Article 6 which have been incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.. Schdule 1, Article 6 Right to a fair trial
      1 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 interest 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.
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      3 Everyone charged with a criminal offence has the following minimum rights:
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      (c)to defend himself in person or through legal assistance of his own choosing or, if he has not sufficient means to pay for legal assistance, to be given it free when the interests of justice so require;
      (d)to examine or have examined witnesses against him and to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on his behalf under the same conditions as witnesses against him;
      (e)to have the free assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand or speak the language used in court.

    • Constitutión Española
      Land:
      Spain

      Artículo 24 2. Asimismo, todos tienen derecho al Juez ordinario predeterminado por la ley, a la defensa y a la asistencia de letrado, a ser informados de la acusación formulada contra ellos, a un proceso público sin dilaciones indebidas y con todas las garantías, a utilizar los medios de prueba pertinentes para su defensa, a no declarar contra sí mismos, a no confesarse culpables y a la presunción de inocencia. La ley regulará los casos en que, por razón de parentesco o de secreto profesional, no se estará obligado a declarar sobre hechos presuntamente delictivos.

    • Constitution of the Kingdom of Spain
      Land:
      Spain

      Section 24 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.

    • Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia
      Land:
      Slovenia

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      Article 29 - Legal Guarantees in Criminal Proceedings Anyone charged with a criminal offence must, in addition to absolute equality, be guaranteed the following rights:- the right to have adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence;- the right to be present at his trial and to conduct his own defence or to be defended by a legal representative;- the right to present all evidence to his benefit;- the right not to incriminate himself or his relatives or those close to him, or to admit guilt.

    • Ustava Republike Slovenije
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      27. člen - domneva nedolžnostiKdor je obdolžen kaznivega ravnanja, velja za nedolžnega, dokler njegova krivda ni ugotovljena s pravnomočno sodbo.

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    • Constitution of the Slovak Republic
      Land:
      Slovakia

      Article 50 (1) Only the court decides on guilt and punishment for criminal acts. (2) Everyone against whom a criminal proceeding is conducted is considered innocent until the court establishes his guilt by a legally valid verdict. (3) The accused has the right to be granted the time and opportunity to prepare his defense, and to defend himself either alone or through a defense counsel.(4) The accused has the right to refuse to testify; this right may not be denied in any way. (...)

    • Ústava Slovenskej republiky
      Land:
      Slovakia

      Čl. 50 (...) (2) Každý, proti komu sa vedie trestné konanie, považuje sa za nevinného, kým súd nevysloví právoplatným odsudzujúcim rozsudkom jeho vinu.(3) Obvinený má právo, aby mu bol poskytnutý čas a možnosť na prípravu obhajoby a aby sa mohol obhajovať sám alebo prostredníctvom obhajcu.(4) Obvinený má právo odoprieť výpoveď; tohto práva ho nemožno pozbaviť nijakým spôsobom. (...)

    • Constituția României
      Land:
      Romania

      Articolul 23(11) Pâna la ramânerea definitiva a hotarârii judecatoresti de condamnare, persoana este considerata nevinovata.Articolul 24(1) Dreptul la aparare este garantat.(2) În tot cursul procesului, partile au dreptul sa fie asistate de un avocat, ales sau numit din oficiu.

    • Constitution of Romania
      Land:
      Romania

      Article 23(11) Any person shall be presumed innocent till found guilty by a final decision of the court. Article 24(1) The right to defence is guaranteed. (2) All throughout the trial, the parties shall have the right to be assisted by a lawyer of their own choosing or appointed ex officio.

    • Constituição da República Portuguesa
      Land:
      Portugal

      Artigo 20.º (Acesso ao direito e tutela jurisdicional efectiva) 2. Todos têm direito, nos termos da lei, à informação e consulta jurídicas, ao patrocínio judiciário e a fazer-se acompanhar por advogado perante qualquer autoridade. Artigo 31.º (Habeas corpus) 1. Haverá habeas corpus contra o abuso de poder, por virtude de prisão ou detenção ilegal, a requerer perante o tribunal competente. 2. A providência de habeas corpus pode ser requerida pelo próprio ou por qualquer cidadão no gozo dos seus direitos políticos. 3. O juiz decidirá no prazo de oito dias o pedido de habeas corpus em audiência contraditória. Artigo 32.º (Garantias do processo criminal) 1. O processo criminal assegura todas as garantias de defesa, incluindo o recurso. 2. Todo o arguido se presume inocente até ao trânsito em julgado da sentença de condenação, devendo ser julgado no mais curto prazo compatível com as garantias de defesa. 3. O arguido tem direito a escolher defensor e a ser por ele assistido em todos os actos do processo, especificando a lei os casos e as fases em que a assistência por advogado é obrigatória. 10. Nos processos de contra-ordenação, bem como em quaisquer processos sancionatórios, são assegurados ao arguido os direitos de audiência e defesa.

    • Constitution of the Portuguese Republic
      Land:
      Portugal

      Article 20 (Access to law and effective judicial protection) (2) Everyone has the right, in accordance with the law, to legal advice and information, as well as to legal aid, and the right to be assisted by a lawyer before any authority. Article 31 (Habeas corpus) (1) Habeas corpus shall be available to counter the misuse of power in the form of illegal arrest, imprisonment or detention. Application for it shall be made to the competent court. (2) Application for a habeas corpus order may be made by the person so arrested, imprisoned or detained, or by any citizen exercising his political rights. (3) Within eight days of an application for habeas corpus the judge shall rule thereon in a hearing that shall be subject to pleading and counter-pleading. Article 32 (Safeguards in criminal procedures) 1. Criminal proceedings shall ensure all necessary safeguards for the defence, including the right to appeal. (2) Every defendant shall be presumed innocent until his sentence has transited in rem judicatam, and shall be brought to trial as quickly as is compatible with the safeguards of the defence. (3) Defendants shall possess the right to choose counsel and to be assisted by him in relation to every procedural act. The law shall specify those cases and phases of proceedings in which the assistance of a lawyer shall be mandatory. (10) Defendants in proceedings concerning administrative offences or in any proceedings in which penalties may be imposed shall possess the right to be heard and to a defence.

    • Constitution of the Republic of Poland
      Land:
      Poland

      Article 42(...) 2. Anyone against whom criminal proceedings have been brought shall have the right to defence at all stages of such proceedings. He may, in particular, choose counsel or avail himself - in accordance with principles specified by statute - of counsel appointed by the court. 3. Everyone shall be presumed innocent of a charge until his guilt is determined by the final judgment of a court. Article 78Each party shall have the right to appeal against judgments and decisions made at first stage. Exceptions to this principle and the procedure for such appeals shall be specified by statute.Article 791. In accordance with principles specified by statute, everyone whose constitutional freedoms or rights have been infringed, shall have the right to appeal to the Constitutional Tribunal for its judgment on the conformity to the Constitution of a statute or another normative act upon which basis a court or organ of public administration has made a final decision on his freedoms or rights or on his obligations specified in the Constitution. (...)

    • Constitution of the Republic of Poland
      Land:
      Poland

      Article 42(...) 2. Anyone against whom criminal proceedings have been brought shall have the right to defence at all stages of such proceedings. He may, in particular, choose counsel or avail himself - in accordance with principles specified by statute - of counsel appointed by the court. 3. Everyone shall be presumed innocent of a charge until his guilt is determined by the final judgment of a court. Article 78Each party shall have the right to appeal against judgments and decisions made at first stage. Exceptions to this principle and the procedure for such appeals shall be specified by statute.Article 79.1. In accordance with principles specified by statute, everyone whose constitutional freedoms or rights have been infringed, shall have the right to appeal to the Constitutional Tribunal for its judgment on the conformity to the Constitution of a statute or another normative act upon which basis a court or organ of public administration has made a final decision on his freedoms or rights or on his obligations specified in the Constitution. (...)

    • Konstytucja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej
      Land:
      Poland

      Art. 42(...) 2. Każdy, przeciw komu prowadzone jest postępowanie karne, ma prawo do obrony we wszystkich stadiach postępowania. Może on w szczególności wybrać obrońcę lub na zasadach określonych w ustawie korzystać z obrońcy z urzędu.3. Każdego uważa się za niewinnego, dopóki jego wina nie zostanie stwierdzona prawomocnym wyrokiem sądu. Art. 78Każda ze stron ma prawo do zaskarżenia orzeczeń i decyzji wydanych w pierwszej instancji. Wyjątki od tej zasady oraz tryb zaskarżania określa ustawa.Art. 791. Każdy, czyje konstytucyjne wolności lub prawa zostały naruszone, ma prawo, na zasadach określonych w ustawie, wnieść skargę do Trybunału Konstytucyjnego w sprawie zgodności z Konstytucją ustawy lub innego aktu normatywnego, na podstawie którego sąd lub organ administracji publicznej orzekł ostatecznie o jego wolnościach lub prawach albo o jego obowiązkach określonych w Konstytucji. (...)

    • Constitution du Grand Duche de Luxembourg
      Land:
      Luxembourg

      Article 14. Nulle peine ne peut être établie ni appliquée qu’en vertu de la loi.

    • Constitution of Malta
      Land:
      Malta

      Article 39(…) (5) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty:Provided that nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this subsection to the extent that the law in question imposes upon any person charged as aforesaid the burden of proving particular facts.(6) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence:(a) shall be informed in writing, in a language which he understands and in detail, of the nature of the offence charged;(b) shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;(c) shall be permitted to defend himself in person or by a legal representative and a person who cannot afford to pay for such legal representation as is reasonably required by the circumstances of his ease shall be entitled to have such representation at the public expense;(d) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before any court and to obtain the attendance of witnesses subject to the payment of their reasonable expenses, and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and(e) shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand the language used at the trial of the charge, and except with his own consent the trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court has ordered him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence. (…)

    • Constitution of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
      Land:
      Luxembourg

      Article 14. No penalty may be established or applied except by virtue of the law.

    12 results found

    • Directive (EU) 2016/1919 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings and for requested persons in European arrest warrant proceedings

      Preamble 


      (3) The third paragraph of Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), Article 6(3)(c) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and Article 14(3)(d) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) enshrine the right to legal aid in criminal proceedings in accordance with the conditions laid down in those provisions. The Charter has the same legal value as the Treaties, and the Member States are parties to the ECHR and the ICCPR. However, experience has shown that this in itself does not always provide a sufficient degree of trust in the criminal justice systems of other Member States.


      (17) In accordance with Article 6(3)(c) ECHR, suspects and accused persons who lack sufficient resources to pay for the assistance of a lawyer are to have the right to legal aid when the interests of justice so require. This minimum rule allows Member States to apply a means test, a merits test, or both. The application of those tests should not limit or derogate from the rights and procedural safeguards that are ensured under the Charter and the ECHR, as interpreted by the Court of Justice and by the ECtHR.

      (21) Requested persons should have the right to legal aid in the executing Member State. In addition, requested persons who are the subject of European arrest warrant proceedings for the purpose of conducting a criminal prosecution and who exercise their right to appoint a lawyer in the issuing Member State in accordance with Directive 2013/48/EU should have the right to legal aid in that Member State for the purpose of such proceedings in the executing Member State, in so far as legal aid is necessary to ensure effective access to justice, as laid down in Article 47 of the Charter. This would be the case where the lawyer in the executing Member State cannot fulfil his or her tasks as regards the execution of a European arrest warrant effectively and efficiently without the assistance of a lawyer in the issuing Member State. Any decision regarding the granting of legal aid in the issuing Member State should be taken by an authority that is competent for taking such decisions in that Member State, on the basis of criteria that are established by that Member State when implementing this Directive.

      (22) To ensure effective access to a lawyer by requested persons, Member States should ensure that requested persons have a right to legal aid until they are surrendered, or until the decision not to surrender them becomes final.

      (23) When implementing this Directive, Member States should ensure respect for the fundamental right to legal aid as provided for by the Charter and by the ECHR. In doing so, they should respect the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems.

      Article 3: Definition

      For the purposes of this Directive, ‘legal aid’ means funding by a Member State of the assistance of a lawyer, enabling the exercise of the right of access to a lawyer.

      Article 4: Legal aid in criminal proceedings

      1.   Member States shall ensure that suspects and accused persons who lack sufficient resources to pay for the assistance of a lawyer have the right to legal aid when the interests of justice so require.

      2.   Member States may apply a means test, a merits test, or both to determine whether legal aid is to be granted in accordance with paragraph 1.

      3.   Where a Member State applies a means test, it shall take into account all relevant and objective factors, such as the income, capital and family situation of the person concerned, as well as the costs of the assistance of a lawyer and the standard of living in that Member State, in order to determine whether, in accordance with the applicable criteria in that Member State, a suspect or an accused person lacks sufficient resources to pay for the assistance of a lawyer.

      4.   Where a Member State applies a merits test, it shall take into account the seriousness of the criminal offence, the complexity of the case and the severity of the sanction at stake, in order to determine whether the interests of justice require legal aid to be granted. In any event, the merits test shall be deemed to have been met in the following situations:

      (a) where a suspect or an accused person is brought before a competent court or judge in order to decide on detention at any stage of the proceedings within the scope of this Directive; and

      (b) during detention.

      5.   Member States shall ensure that legal aid is granted without undue delay, and at the latest before questioning by the police, by another law enforcement authority or by a judicial authority, or before the investigative or evidence-gathering acts referred to in point (c) of Article 2(1) are carried out.

      6.   Legal aid shall be granted only for the purposes of the criminal proceedings in which the person concerned is suspected or accused of having committed a criminal offence.

      Article 5: Legal aid in European arrest warrant proceedings

      1.   The executing Member State shall ensure that requested persons have a right to legal aid upon arrest pursuant to a European arrest warrant until they are surrendered, or until the decision not to surrender them becomes final.

      2.   The issuing Member State shall ensure that requested persons who are the subject of European arrest warrant proceedings for the purpose of conducting a criminal prosecution and who exercise their right to appoint a lawyer in the issuing Member State to assist the lawyer in the executing Member State in accordance with Article 10(4) and (5) of Directive 2013/48/EU have the right to legal aid in the issuing Member State for the purpose of such proceedings in the executing Member State, in so far as legal aid is necessary to ensure effective access to justice.

      3.   The right to legal aid referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 may be subject to a means test in accordance with Article 4(3), which shall apply mutatis mutandis.

      Article 7: Quality of legal aid services and training

      1.   Member States shall take necessary measures, including with regard to funding, to ensure that:

      (a) there is an effective legal aid system that is of an adequate quality; and

      (b) legal aid services are of a quality adequate to safeguard the fairness of the proceedings, with due respect for the independence of the legal profession.

      2.   Member States shall ensure that adequate training is provided to staff involved in the decision-making on legal aid in criminal proceedings and in European arrest warrant proceedings.

      3.   With due respect for the independence of the legal profession and for the role of those responsible for the training of lawyers, Member States shall take appropriate measures to promote the provision of adequate training to lawyers providing legal aid services.

      4.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that suspects, accused persons and requested persons have the right, upon their request, to have the lawyer providing legal aid services assigned to them replaced, where the specific circumstances so

    • Directive (EU) 2024/1203 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on the protection of the environment through criminal law

      Preamble 
      (44) The publication of the personal data of convicted persons contained in judicial decisions should only be possible in duly justified exceptional cases following a case-by-case assessment, weighing the public interest against the rights to respect for private life and protection of the personal data of the convicted person provided for in Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the ‘Charter’), respectively. 


      (53)To ensure successful enforcement of environmental criminal law, Member States should make available to competent authorities effective investigative tools for environmental criminal offences such as those available under their national law for combatting organised crime or other serious criminal offences, if and to the extent that the use of those tools is appropriate and proportionate to the nature and gravity of the criminal offences as provided for in national law. Such tools could include the interception of communications, covert surveillance, including electronic surveillance, controlled deliveries, the monitoring of bank accounts and other financial investigation tools. Those tools should be used in line with the principle of proportionality and in full respect of the Charter. It is imperative that the right to the protection of personal data be respected.


      (75) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles as recognised in particular by the Charter, including the protection of personal data, the freedom of expression and information, the freedom to conduct a business, the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence and right of defence, the principles of legality and proportionality of criminal offences and penalties, and the right not to be tried or punished twice in criminal proceedings for the same offence. This Directive seeks to ensure full respect for those rights and principles and should be implemented accordingly.

      Article 1: Subject matter

      This Directive establishes minimum rules with regard to the definition of criminal offences and penalties in order to protect the environment more effectively, as well as with regard to measures to prevent and combat environmental crime and to effectively enforce Union environmental law.

      Article 5: Penalties for natural persons

      1.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that criminal offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 are punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties.

      Article 7: Penalties for legal persons

      1.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that a legal person held liable pursuant to Article 6(1) or (2) is punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal or non-criminal penalties or measures.

    • Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’)

      Preamble

      (30) The investigations of the EPPO should as a rule be carried out by European Delegated Prosecutors in the Member States. They should do so in accordance with this Regulation and, as regards matters not covered by this Regulation, in accordance with national law. European Delegated Prosecutors should carry out their tasks under the supervision of the supervising European Prosecutor and under the direction and instruction of the competent Permanent Chamber. Where the national law of a Member State provides for the internal review of certain acts within the structure of the national prosecutor’s office, the review of such decisions taken by the European Delegated Prosecutor should fall under the supervision powers of the supervising European Prosecutor in accordance with the internal rules of procedure of the EPPO. In such cases, Member States should not be obliged to provide for review by national courts, without prejudice to Article 19 TEU and Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘the Charter’).


      (80) The evidence presented by the EPPO in court should not be denied admission on the mere ground that the evidence was gathered in another Member State or in accordance with the law of another Member State, provided that the trial court considers its admission to respect the fairness of the procedure and the suspect or accused person’s rights of defence under the Charter. This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by Article 6 TEU and in the Charter, in particular Title VI thereof, by international law and by international agreements to which the Union or all the Member States are party, including the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and by Member States’ constitutions in their respective fields of application. In line with those principles, and in respecting the different legal systems and traditions of the Member States as provided for in Article 67(1) TFEU, nothing in this Regulation may be interpreted as prohibiting the courts from applying the fundamental principles of national law on fairness of the procedure that they apply in their national systems, including in common law systems.


      (83) This Regulation requires the EPPO to respect, in particular, the right to a fair trial, the rights of the defence and the presumption of innocence, as enshrined in Articles 47 and 48 of the Charter. Article 50 of the Charter, which protects the right not to be tried or punished twice in criminal proceedings for the same offence (ne bis in idem), ensures that there will be no double jeopardy as a result of the prosecutions brought by the EPPO. The activities of the EPPO should thus be exercised in full compliance with those rights and this Regulation should be applied and interpreted accordingly.

      (98) In order to ensure effective, reliable and consistent monitoring of compliance with and enforcement of this Regulation as regards operational personal data, as required by Article 8 of the Charter, the European Data Protection Supervisor should have the tasks laid down in this Regulation and should have effective powers, including investigative, corrective, and advisory powers which constitute the necessary means to perform those tasks. However, the powers of the European Data Protection Supervisor should not unduly interfere with specific rules for criminal proceedings, including investigation and prosecution of criminal offences, or the independence of the judiciary.

      Article 5: Basic principles of the activities

      1.   The EPPO shall ensure that its activities respect the rights enshrined in the Charter.

      2.   The EPPO shall be bound by the principles of rule of law and proportionality in all its activities.

      3.   The investigations and prosecutions on behalf of the EPPO shall be governed by this Regulation. National law shall apply to the extent that a matter is not regulated by this Regulation. Unless otherwise specified in this Regulation, the applicable national law shall be the law of the Member State whose European Delegated Prosecutor is handling the case in accordance with Article 13(1). Where a matter is governed by both national law and this Regulation, the latter shall prevail.

      4.   The EPPO shall conduct its investigations in an impartial manner and shall seek all relevant evidence whether inculpatory or exculpatory.

      5.   The EPPO shall open and conduct investigations without undue delay.

      6.   The competent national authorities shall actively assist and support the investigations and prosecutions of the EPPO. Any action, policy or procedure under this Regulation shall be guided by the principle of sincere cooperation.

      Article 41: Scope of the rights of the suspects and accused persons

      1.   The activities of the EPPO shall be carried out in full compliance with the rights of suspects and accused persons enshrined in the Charter, including the right to a fair trial and the rights of defence.

      2.   Any suspected or accused person in the criminal proceedings of the EPPO shall, at aa minimum, have the procedural rights provided for in Union law, including directives concerning the rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal procedures, as implemented by national law, such as:

      (a) the right to interpretation and translation, as provided for in Directive 2010/64/EU;

      (b) the right to information and access to the case materials, as provided for in Directive 2012/13/EU;

      (c) the right of access to a lawyer and the right to communicate with and have third persons informed in the event of detention, as provided for in Directive 2013/48/EU;

      (d) the right to remain silent and the right to be presumed innocent as provided for in Directive (EU) 2016/343;

      (e) the right to legal aid as provided for in Directive (EU) 2016/1919.

      3.   Without prejudice to the rights referred to in this Chapter, suspects and accused persons as well as other persons involved in the proceedings of the EPPO shall have all the procedural rights available to them under the applicable national law, including the possibility to present evidence, to request the appointment of experts or expert examination and hearing of witnesses, and to request the EPPO to obtain such measures on behalf of the defence.

      Article 47: Principles relating to processing of personal data

      1.   Personal data shall be:

      (a) processed lawfully and fairly (‘lawfulness and fairness’);

      (b) collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes provided that the EPPO provides appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of data subjects (‘purpose limitation’);

      (c) adequate, relevant, and not excessive in relation to the purposes for which they are processed (‘data minimisation’);

      (d) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay (‘accuracy’);

      (e) kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes provided that the EPPO provides appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of data subjects, in particular by the implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by this Regulation (‘storage limitation’);

      (f) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures (‘integrity and confidentiality’).

      2.   The EPPO shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with paragraph 1 (‘accountability’) when processing personal data wholly or partly by automated means and when processing other than by automated means personal data which form part of a filing system or are intended to form part of a filing system.

      3.   Processing by the EPPO for any of the purposes set out in Article 49 other than that for which the operational personal data are collected shall be permitted in so far as:

      (a) the EPPO is authorised to process such operational personal data for such a purpose in accordance with this Regulation; and

      (b) processing is necessary and proportionate to that other purpose in accordance with Union law; and

      (c) where relevant, the use of operational personal data is not prohibited by the applicable national procedural law on the investigative measures taken in accordance with Article 30. The applicable national procedural law is the law of the Member State where the data was obtained.

    • Directive (EU) 2016/1919 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings and for requested persons in European arrest warrant proceedings

      Preamble  


      (3) The third paragraph of Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), Article 6(3)(c) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and Article 14(3)(d) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) enshrine the right to legal aid in criminal proceedings in accordance with the conditions laid down in those provisions. The Charter has the same legal value as the Treaties, and the Member States are parties to the ECHR and the ICCPR. However, experience has shown that this in itself does not always provide a sufficient degree of trust in the criminal justice systems of other Member States.


      (17) In accordance with Article 6(3)(c) ECHR, suspects and accused persons who lack sufficient resources to pay for the assistance of a lawyer are to have the right to legal aid when the interests of justice so require. This minimum rule allows Member States to apply a means test, a merits test, or both. The application of those tests should not limit or derogate from the rights and procedural safeguards that are ensured under the Charter and the ECHR, as interpreted by the Court of Justice and by the ECtHR.


      (21) Requested persons should have the right to legal aid in the executing Member State. In addition, requested persons who are the subject of European arrest warrant proceedings for the purpose of conducting a criminal prosecution and who exercise their right to appoint a lawyer in the issuing Member State in accordance with Directive 2013/48/EU should have the right to legal aid in that Member State for the purpose of such proceedings in the executing Member State, in so far as legal aid is necessary to ensure effective access to justice, as laid down in Article 47 of the Charter. This would be the case where the lawyer in the executing Member State cannot fulfil his or her tasks as regards the execution of a European arrest warrant effectively and efficiently without the assistance of a lawyer in the issuing Member State. Any decision regarding the granting of legal aid in the issuing Member State should be taken by an authority that is competent for taking such decisions in that Member State, on the basis of criteria that are established by that Member State when implementing this Directive.

      (22) To ensure effective access to a lawyer by requested persons, Member States should ensure that requested persons have a right to legal aid until they are surrendered, or until the decision not to surrender them becomes final.

      (23) When implementing this Directive, Member States should ensure respect for the fundamental right to legal aid as provided for by the Charter and by the ECHR. In doing so, they should respect the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems.


      (29) This Directive should apply to suspects, accused persons and requested persons regardless of their legal status, citizenship or nationality. Member States should respect and guarantee the rights set out in this Directive, without any discrimination based on any ground such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, property, disability or birth. 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. This Directive should be implemented in accordance with those rights and principles.

      (30) This Directive lays down 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. Such higher level of protection should not constitute an obstacle to the mutual recognition of judicial decisions that those minimum rules are designed to facilitate. The level of protection provided for by Member States should never fall below the standards provided by the Charter or by the ECHR, as interpreted by the Court of Justice and by the ECtHR.

      Article 3: Definition

      For the purposes of this Directive, ‘legal aid’ means funding by a Member State of the assistance of a lawyer, enabling the exercise of the right of access to a lawyer.

      Article 4: Legal aid in criminal proceedings

      1.   Member States shall ensure that suspects and accused persons who lack sufficient resources to pay for the assistance of a lawyer have the right to legal aid when the interests of justice so require.

      2.   Member States may apply a means test, a merits test, or both to determine whether legal aid is to be granted in accordance with paragraph 1.

      3.   Where a Member State applies a means test, it shall take into account all relevant and objective factors, such as the income, capital and family situation of the person concerned, as well as the costs of the assistance of a lawyer and the standard of living in that Member State, in order to determine whether, in accordance with the applicable criteria in that Member State, a suspect or an accused person lacks sufficient resources to pay for the assistance of a lawyer.

      4.   Where a Member State applies a merits test, it shall take into account the seriousness of the criminal offence, the complexity of the case and the severity of the sanction at stake, in order to determine whether the interests of justice require legal aid to be granted. In any event, the merits test shall be deemed to have been met in the following situations:

      (a) where a suspect or an accused person is brought before a competent court or judge in order to decide on detention at any stage of the proceedings within the scope of this Directive; and

      (b) during detention.

      5.   Member States shall ensure that legal aid is granted without undue delay, and at the latest before questioning by the police, by another law enforcement authority or by a judicial authority, or before the investigative or evidence-gathering acts referred to in point (c) of Article 2(1) are carried out.

      6.   Legal aid shall be granted only for the purposes of the criminal proceedings in which the person concerned is suspected or accused of having committed a criminal offence.

      Article 5: Legal aid in European arrest warrant proceedings

      1.   The executing Member State shall ensure that requested persons have a right to legal aid upon arrest pursuant to a European arrest warrant until they are surrendered, or until the decision not to surrender them becomes final.

      2.   The issuing Member State shall ensure that requested persons who are the subject of European arrest warrant proceedings for the purpose of conducting a criminal prosecution and who exercise their right to appoint a lawyer in the issuing Member State to assist the lawyer in the executing Member State in accordance with Article 10(4) and (5) of Directive 2013/48/EU have the right to legal aid in the issuing Member State for the purpose of such proceedings in the executing Member State, in so far as legal aid is necessary to ensure effective access to justice.

      3.   The right to legal aid referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 may be subject to a means test in accordance with Article 4(3), which shall apply mutatis mutandis.

      Article 6: Decisions regarding the granting of legal aid

      1.   Decisions on whether or not to grant legal aid and on the assignment of lawyers shall be made, without undue delay, by a competent authority. Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the competent authority takes its decisions diligently, respecting the rights of the defence.

      2.   Member States shall take necessary measures to ensure that suspects, accused persons and requested persons are informed in writing if their request for legal aid is refused in full or in part.

      Article 7: Quality of legal aid services and training

      1.   Member States shall take necessary measures, including with regard to funding, to ensure that:

      (a) there is an effective legal aid system that is of an adequate quality; and

      (b) legal aid services are of a quality adequate to safeguard the fairness of the proceedings, with due respect for the independence of the legal profession.

      2.   Member States shall ensure that adequate training is provided to staff involved in the decision-making on legal aid in criminal proceedings and in European arrest warrant proceedings.

      3.   With due respect for the independence of the legal profession and for the role of those responsible for the training of lawyers, Member States shall take appropriate measures to promote the provision of adequate training to lawyers providing legal aid services.

      4.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that suspects, accused persons and requested persons have the right, upon their request, to have the lawyer providing legal aid services assigned to them replaced, where the specific circumstances so

    • Directive (EU) 2019/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 laying down rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences, and

      .

    • Directive (EU) 2016/800 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings

      Preamble

      (31) Member States should be able to derogate temporarily from the obligation to provide assistance by a lawyer in the pre-trial phase for compelling reasons, namely where there is an urgent need to avert serious adverse consequences for the life, liberty or physical integrity of a person, or where immediate action by the investigating authorities is imperative to prevent substantial jeopardy to criminal proceedings in relation to a serious criminal offence, inter alia, with a view to obtaining information concerning the alleged co-perpetrators of a serious criminal offence, or in order to avoid the loss of important evidence regarding a serious criminal offence. During a temporary derogation for one of those compelling reasons, the competent authorities should be able to question children without the lawyer being present, provided that they have been informed of their right to remain silent and can exercise that right, and that such questioning does not prejudice the rights of the defence, including the right not to incriminate oneself. It should be possible to carry out questioning, to the extent necessary, for the sole purpose of obtaining information that is essential to avert serious adverse consequences for the life, liberty or physical integrity of a person, or to prevent substantial jeopardy to criminal proceedings. Any abuse of this temporary derogation would, in principle, irretrievably prejudice the rights of the defence.‘
       

      (33) Confidentiality of communication between children and their lawyer is key to ensuring the effective exercise of the rights of the defence and is an essential part of the right to a fair trial. Member States should therefore respect the confidentiality of meetings and other forms of communication between the lawyer and the child in the context of the assistance by a lawyer provided for in this Directive, without derogation.

      (35) Children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings should have the right to an individual assessment to identify their specific needs in terms of protection, education, training and social integration, to determine if and to what extent they would need special measures during the criminal proceedings, the extent of their criminal responsibility and the appropriateness of a particular penalty or educative measure.

      Article 3: Definitions
      For the purposes of this Directive the following definitions apply:
      (1) ‘child’ means a person below the age of 18;
      (2) ‘holder of parental responsibility’ means any person having parental responsibility over a child;  [...]
      With regard to point (1) of the first paragraph, where it is uncertain whether a person has reached the age of 18, that person shall be presumed to be a child.


      Article 4: Right to information
      1.   Member States shall ensure that when children are made aware that they are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings, they are informed promptly about their rights [...].


      Article 5 - Right of the child to have the holder of parental responsibility informed
      1.   Member States shall ensure that the holder of parental responsibility is provided, as soon as possible, with the information that the child has a right to receive in accordance with Article 4.

      Article 6: Assistance by a lawyer
      2.   Member States shall ensure that children are assisted by a lawyer in accordance with this Article in order to allow them to exercise the rights of the defence effectively.

       

       

      Article 10: Limitation of deprivation of liberty
      1.   Member States shall ensure that deprivation of liberty of a child at any stage of the proceedings is limited to the shortest appropriate period of time. Due account shall be taken of the age and individual situation of the child, and of the particular circumstances of the case.
      2.   Member States shall ensure that deprivation of liberty, in particular detention, shall be imposed on children only as a measure of last resort. Member States shall ensure that any detention is based on a reasoned decision, subject to judicial review by a court. Such a decision shall also be subject to periodic review, at reasonable intervals of time, by a court, either ex officio or at the request of the child, of the child's lawyer, or of a judicial authority which is not a court. Without prejudice to judicial independence, Member States shall ensure that decisions to be taken pursuant to this paragraph are taken without undue delay. 
       

      Article 11: Alternative measures
      Member States shall ensure that, where possible, the competent authorities have recourse to measures alternative to detention (alternative measures).
       

      Article 12: Specific treatment in the case of deprivation of liberty
      1.   Member States shall ensure that children who are detained are held separately from adults, unless it is considered to be in the child's best interests not to do so.
      2.   Member States shall also ensure that children who are kept in police custody are held separately from adults, unless:
      (a) it is considered to be in the child's best interests not to do so; or
      (b) in exceptional circumstances, it is not possible in practice to do so, provided that children are held together with adults in a manner that is compatible with the child's best interests.
      3.   Without prejudice to paragraph 1, when a detained child reaches the age of 18, Member States shall provide for the possibility to continue to hold that person separately from other detained adults where warranted, taking into account the circumstances of the person concerned, provided that this is compatible with the best interests of children who are detained with that person.
      4.   Without prejudice to paragraph 1, and taking into account paragraph 3, children may be detained with young adults, unless this is contrary to the child's best interests.
      5.   When children are detained, Member States shall take appropriate measures to:
      (a) ensure and preserve their health and their physical and mental development;
      (b) ensure their right to education and training, including where the children have physical, sensory or learning disabilities;
      (c) ensure the effective and regular exercise of their right to family life;
      (d) ensure access to programmes that foster their development and their reintegration into society; and
      (e) ensure respect for their freedom of religion or belief.
      The measures taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be proportionate and appropriate to the duration of the detention.
      Points (a) and (e) of the first subparagraph shall also apply to situations of deprivation of liberty other than detention. The measures taken shall be proportionate and appropriate to such situations of deprivation of liberty.
      Points (b), (c), and (d) of the first subparagraph shall apply to situations of deprivation of liberty other than detention only to the extent that is appropriate and proportionate in the light of the nature and duration of such situations.
      6.   Member States shall endeavour to ensure that children who are deprived of liberty can meet with the holder of parental responsibility as soon as possible, where such a meeting is compatible with investigative and operational requirements. This paragraph shall be without prejudice to the nomination or designation of another appropriate adult pursuant to Article 5 or 15.
       

    • Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law

      Article 1

      Purpose

      The purpose of this Directive is to enhance the enforcement of Union law and policies in specific areas by laying down common minimum standards providing for a high level of protection of persons reporting breaches of Union law.

    • Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings

      Preamble 

      (5) Article 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter the ECHR) and Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (hereinafter the Charter) enshrine the right to a fair trial. Article 48(2) of the Charter guarantees respect for the right of defence. This Directive respects those rights and should be implemented accordingly.

      Article 1: Subject matter and scope

      1. This Directive lays down rules concerning the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings and proceedings for the execution of a European arrest warrant.

      2. The right referred to in paragraph 1 shall apply to persons from the time that they are made aware by the competent authorities of a Member State, by official notification or otherwise, that they are suspected or accused of having committed a criminal offence until the conclusion of the proceedings, which is understood to mean the final determination of the question whether they have committed the offence, including, where applicable, sentencing and the resolution of any appeal.

      3. Where the law of a Member State provides for the imposition of a sanction regarding minor offences by an authority other than a court having jurisdiction in criminal matters, and the imposition of such a sanction may be appealed to such a court, this Directive shall apply only to the proceedings before that court following such an appeal.

      4. This Directive does not affect national law concerning the presence of legal counsel during any stage of the criminal proceedings, nor does it affect national law concerning the right of access of a suspected or accused person to documents in criminal proceedings.

    • Directive 2013/48/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and in European arrest warrant proceedings

      Preamble 

      (1) Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the  European Union (the Charter), Article 6 of the European  Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and  Fundamental Freedoms (the ECHR) and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the ICCPR) enshrine the right to a fair trial. Article 48(2) of the Charter guarantees respect for the rights of the defence.


      (12) This Directive lays down minimum rules concerning the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and in proceedings for the execution of a European arrest warrant pursuant to Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA of 13 June 2002 on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between Member States (European arrest warrant proceedings) and the right to have a third party informed upon deprivation of liberty and to communicate with third persons and with consular authorities while deprived of liberty. In doing so, it promotes the application of the Charter, in particular Articles 4, 6, 7, 47 and 48 thereof, by building upon Articles 3, 5, 6 and 8 ECHR, as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights, which, in its case-law, on an ongoing basis, sets standards on the right of access to a lawyer. That case-law provides, inter alia, that the fairness of proceedings requires that a suspect or accused person be able to obtain the whole range of services specifically associated with legal assistance. In that regard, the lawyers of suspects or accused persons should be able to secure without restriction, the fundamental aspects of the defence.

      (52) This Directive upholds the fundamental rights and principles recognised by the Charter, including the prohibition of torture and inhuman and 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, 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. This Directive should be implemented in accordance with those rights and principles.

      Article 1: Subject matter

      This Directive lays down minimum rules concerning the rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings and of persons subject to proceedings pursuant to Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA (‘European arrest warrant proceedings’) to have access to a lawyer, to have a third party informed of the deprivation of liberty and to communicate with third persons and with consular authorities while deprived of liberty.

      Article 11: Legal aid

      This Directive is without prejudice to national law in relation to legal aid, which shall apply in accordance with the Charter and the ECHR.

       
    • 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.

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