European Union Adopts New Rules on the Protection of the Presumption of Innocence

On February 12, 2016, the European Commission announced that the Ministers from the EU Member States have adopted new rules that will guarantee the presumption of innocence of anyone accused or suspected of a crime by the police or justice authorities. The Directive also ensures that everyone benefits from the right to be present at their trial. The new rules, proposed by the Commission in 2013, will ensure these fundamental rights are fully and equally respected on the ground across the EU (except Denmark and the UK).