Brussels, 13/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The United Kingdom is likely to take part in talks on the proposals for a directive on the rights of victims and for a regulation on European Protection Orders presented by the European Commission on 18 May, UK Justice Minister Kenneth Clarke indicated on Monday 11 July. Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Commissioner Viviane Reding welcomed this development, expressing the view that the UK's involvement in the negotiations would be useful and positive. On 18 May, she made the point that the UK leads the EU in victim protection and support.
The draft directive proposes a series of measures to be put in place in member states, such as giving victims access to aid for themselves and their families, easier access to information (available from the moment the complaint is lodged) in a form and a language that the victim can understand, the right to translation or the right to receive assistance when victims attend trials. The draft regulation seeks to ensure that protection orders issued in one member state should be valid and recognised when victims move to another member state. Ireland too, has recently announced its intention to attend the talks. (S.P./transl.rt)