EU moves to improve suspects’ rights

EU citizens arrested in another member state must have access to a lawyer, be able to contact a friend or family member and their consulate under new proposals.

This is the third in a series that aim to give suspects basic rights no matter which EU country they find themselves under arrest.

Similar proposed rules were blocked by Ireland and five other member states four years ago but since then measures to give suspects the right to translation and interpretation during a hearing and to have their rights in their own language are proceeding.