Guidebook CONTENT CONTENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................8 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................11 TERMINOLOGY................................................................................................. 14 METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................. 17 FIRST PART: GENERAL PRINCIPLES.............................................................. 19 1. STANDARDS........................................................................................ 20 1.1. EU instruments on procedural safeguards..................................... 20 1.2. Scope of the EU instruments..............................................................21 1.3. The added value of EU law................................................................ 23 1.4. Overview about selected procedural rights.................................. 26 1.4.1. Right of access to a lawyer and right to legal aid........................... 26 1.4.2. Right to inform third parties.............................................................. 33 1.4.3. Right to interpretation and translation............................................ 35 1.4.4. Right to information............................................................................ 42 1.4.5. Presumption of innocence and the right to remain silent and the privilege against self-incrimination......................... 46 1.4.6. Audiovisual Recording....................................................................... 48 2. THE MANDATE AND ROLE OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS................................ 49 2.1. Mandate.................................................................................................49 2.2. NHRIs independence..........................................................................51 2.3. The role of NHRIs vis-à-vis public authorities................................. 52 2.4. The role of NHRIs vis-à-vis private entities...................................... 56 2.5. The role of NHRIs vis-à-vis other national human rights departments and bodies................................................................... 58 2.6. The role of NHRIs vis-à-vis civil society............................................ 60 2.7. The role of NHRIs vis-à-vis other EU NHRIs..................................... 62 SECOND PART: NHRIs' TOOLS TO STRENGHTEN PROCEDURAL RIGHTS ...................... 65 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.5.1. 3.5.2. 3.5.3. Promoting an adequate legal framework........................................69 Research and inquiries........................................................................74 Training and capacity building......................................................... 77 Engaging with EU law and procedures........................................... 79 Engaging in the European Union Law in the legislative process.............................................................................. 79 Engaging in the national transposition and implementation process of EU instruments................................... 80 Engaging in the infringement procedure........................................81 4. 4.1. 4.1.1. 4.1.2. 4.1.3. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION....................................... 82 Checking the relevant documentation............................................ 84 Letter of rights and other information leaflets............................... 84 Custody and detention register....................................................... 86 Audio-visual recordings..................................................................... 88 Observing police interviewing......................................................... 89 Checking the confidentiality of lawyer-client consultations........ 89 Interviewing detainees....................................................................... 90 Triangulation: combining different sources and methods........... 91 5. 5.1. 5.2. 5.2.1. 5.2.2. 5.2.3. COMPLAINTS HANDLING AND PARTICIPATION IN COURT PROCEEDINGS................................................................ 93 Individual complaints before the NHRIs...........................................94 Engaging with courts......................................................................... 98 Referring cases to other competent authorities............................ 99 Right to initiate proceedings and lodge appeals.......................... 99 Interventions in court proceedings................................................ 101 6. CONCLUSIONS................................................................................. 106 BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................... 111 TABLE OF CASES ........................................................................................... 119 ANNEXES......................................................................................................... 122 FOOTNOTES................................................................................................... 130 3. 3.1. 6 WAYS TO PROMOTE CHANGE........................................................ 66 Raising awareness among the general public/ Campaigns/Press Work/Press release.............................................67 7