This factsheet focuses on the European arrest warrant and EU Member States obligations to respect fundamental rights. EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights sometimes overlap. The publication clarifies where there are similar principles in different legislation and provides examples of case law. In collaboration, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Court of Human Rights produced this short publication. It is designed to aid lawyers and policymakers in understanding and applying the jurisprudence in this area.

La présente fiche thématique a été préparée par le Greffe de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme (« Cour EDH ») et l’Agence des droits fondamentaux de l’Union européenne dans le cadre d’une collaboration visant à présenter la jurisprudence dans des domaines choisis dans lesquels le droit de l’Union européenne et de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme (« CEDH » ou « Convention EDH ») interagissent.

The European Arrest Warrant (EAW) allows Member States to implement judicial decisions issued in another Member State. It applies to decisions such as arrests for the purpose of criminal prosecutions or the execution of custodial sentences. After being in force for over 20 years, FRA’s findings provide evidence for an assessment of the legislation in practice. This report looks at the fundamental rights challenges that people face who are requested through an EAW. It provides a unique insight into their experiences and those of the professionals involved. FRA’s findings indicate that shared challenges exist across EU Member States. They must increase efforts to ensure that people are able to take part in criminal proceedings and receive a fair trial.