Lib Dems secure new rights for Britons held abroad
Following a long battle led by the Lib Dems, European governments, including the UK, have adopted a new law giving all criminal suspects in the EU the right to free interpretation and translation of questioning, court proceedings and essential documents. This right will apply right through from arrest to trial.
Action is being taken after high-profile cases had raised concern about the operation of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW). This new landmark measure is the first in a package of rules that will give greater legal rights to individuals arrested or extradited abroad under the EAW.
Graham Watson MEP, who piloted the EAW through the European Parliament in 2002, said: "The EAW is an essential tool in the fight against crime. It has brought to justice murderers, rapists and terrorists who would have otherwise been free to sun themselves in Europe."
"However, when it was adopted, the UK's then Labour government shamefully led the other National governments in scrapping all the proposals for the legal rights of defendants, which were included in the original draft that I drew up."
"Following a long battle led by the Lib Dems, we have now secured translation rights. These are essential to a fair trial and would have been invaluable to many Britons facing trial abroad. I applaud the result, but I deplore the delay."
Graham Watson and his Lib Dem colleagues will now continue to drive forward an EU "fair trial" law.
However the UKIP MEPs voted in the European Parliament against securing translation rights for accused Brits. So Graham is concerned that UKIP might also try to block "fair trials" legislation. He said "UKIP talk-the-talk about justice, but they cannot bring themselves to support moves that will actually protect their own constituents. I hope they end their hypocritical stance that betrays justice and the people they represent".
Whatever happens, the Liberal Democrat MEPs will continue to fight for "fair trial" laws that entrench fundamental rights.