• Adequate working conditions for interpreters and
translators should be guaranteed, including
establishing a mechanism to ensure timely payment
and salaries in accordance with market rates to raise
the quality of interpreters.
in Italy and Greece. At the same time, evaluation systems
for interpreters are not in place, and it is not possible to
apply for the recusal of an interpreter.
• Interpreters and translators should have basic
knowledge of the criminal justice system they work in
as a precondition for accreditation, and inclusion on
the list of interpreters that can be called upon for
persons in police custody and pre-trial detention.
• In addition, standardised mechanisms to train,
supervise and evaluate interpreters and translators
should be organised and implemented.
• In order to monitor the quality of interpretation services,
a mandatory video recording of the interrogation
and/or hearing during which interpretation services are
provided should be required.
• A right to apply for the recusal of an interpreter, or an
ability to request substitution, should be established
to enable the person concerned to contest the
competence and the work of the interpreter.
•
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Poor working conditions: Bad quality interpretation is
exacerbated by poor working conditions. Low
remuneration, which is not comparable with market rates,
and significant delays in payment, particularly in Bulgaria,
make it (understandably) unattractive for better-skilled
interpreters to work for law enforcement authorities.
Article 2 (5), Interpretation and Translation Directive.
c. Inability to challenge the failure to provide
interpretation
A proper assessment of whether interpretation and
translation services are required must be paired with the
ability, if such services are denied, for the suspect or accused
person to challenge the negative decision (decision to refuse
interpretation services).
•
Lack of judicial remedies: Despite EU law setting out a
possibility to challenge a refusal to provide interpretation
or translation,83 judicial remedies are not available across
all EU Member States.
• The proper transposition of EU norms into national law
and their practical implementation should be
monitored, including the availability of judicial redress
in the event of a violation of the right to interpretation.
• Bar associations should be involved in the
transposition and monitoring of the practical
implementation of EU norms.
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