The European Parliament’s civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee today backed plans to give citizens rights to translation and interpretation in their own language when facing criminal trial in another EU member state.

The committee’s vote means negotiations can now begin with member states on language rights for defendants.

MEPs on the committee said that people accused of a crime should have access to interpretation and translation during “all phases” of proceedings, endorsing two separate proposals drafted by the European Commission and 13 EU member states.

“I am glad that the European Parliament shares the European Commission’s goal of ensuring a high standard of fair trial rights,” said Viviane Reding, the European commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship. “It is important that we resist the temptation to settle for a less-than-comprehensive proposal that would risk not fully complying with the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights”.

The committee backed the entire proposal under which suspects would have the right to interpretation when communicating with lawyers, during questioning by police and at trial. They would also have the right to receive written translations of important documents, for example detention orders or indictments. MEPs also called for the right to legal advice before a suspect waives their right to interpretation and translation.

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They added that member states would be responsible for training and hiring translators and interpreters for legal work as well as training judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police and other court personnel so they can better assess a suspect’s language needs.

The committee and EU officials argue that the new rights will also complement the European Arrest Warrant, which has led to an increase in cases involving citizens from other member states. Both the UK and Ireland have announced they will opt into the plan if it is adopted.

The Council of Ministers is to discuss the proposal in May.