Procedural rights in EU criminal proceedings - an update : report with evidence, 9th report of session 2008-09

In April 2004, the European Commission published a proposal for a Framework Decision on certain procedural rights in criminal proceedings throughout the European Union.

The European Union Committee, Sub-committee E prepared a report on the proposed Framework Decision in February 2005 welcoming the initiative.

As negotiations developed, however, increasing opposition to the proposal emerged and the Government's position evolved along with renegotiations and possibilities of new narrower proposals.

In this report the Sub-committee makes its recommendations for minimum standards, including that the proposals should: not be confined to those formally charged; cover a wide range of offences; provide for the right to silence; include right to information at the pre-charge stage; give suspects a right to immediate legal assistance and advice; and ensure electronic recording of police interviews.