Brussels, 10/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 September in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted, by 661 votes to 29, with 8 abstentions, the legislative text on access to a lawyer from being taken into custody and before questioning begins.
These new provisions, valid for all citizens in the EU no matter where they are in the EU, will also apply to those being sought under a European arrest warrant. The new directive also guarantees the rights of suspects to communicate with the individual of their choice during their arrest. This individual can be a relative, employer or consulate official. Lawyers will also be able to take part in the questioning of suspects and certain procedures, such as reconstructions of crime scenes. The confidentiality of meetings with lawyers will also be guaranteed.
French MEPs from the EPP Group were pleased that these new rules would not affect current practices on crimes of terrorism, for example. One of the clauses stipulates that these new requirements should not impinge on the work of national intelligence services or the authorities in charge of internal security. The new rules that the Council is expected to formally adopt soon will have to be implemented in member states over the next three years. (SP/transl.fl)