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EU Directive on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings

03.04.2011

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted on 20 October 2010 the Directive on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings.

The right to interpretation and translation for those who do not speak or understand the language of the proceedings is enshrined in Article 6 of the ECHR, as interpreted in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. This Directive facilitates the application of that right in practice. To that end, the aim of this Directive is to ensure the right of suspected or accused persons to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings with a view to ensuring their right to a fair trial.