On 16 June 2010 the European Parliament adopted the Directive on the Rights to Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings with 637 votes in favor, 21 dissenting votes and 19 abstentions. According to the EU timetable the Council will confirm the Directive in September. At the same time, work has begun on a “Best Practice” Recommendation that will help to implement the Directive.
Legal interpreters and translators – represented by EULITA, the European Legal Interpreters and Translators Association, actively contributed to the process through contacts with the EU Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Council. EULITA welcomes the directive, which contains more specific provisions than the Framework Decision adopted last year (which never entered into force on account of the Lisbon Treaty). “EULITA stands ready to contribute its expertise and experience in the field of interpreting and translation for courts and authorities to the implementation of the Directive. Activities are urgently needed, especially with a view to the e-Justice Portal, where national and/or regional registers of legal interpreters and translators are soon to be made available on a cross-border basis” explains Liese Katschinka, President of EULITA.
EULITA (European Legal Interpreters and Translators Association) was founded in November 2009. Its members are national or regional interpreters and translators associations, as well as university institutes and interested international organizations.
25/06/2010
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