REDING WANTS TO LIMIT USE OF EUROPEAN ARREST WARRANT

EUROPEAN VOICE - TOBY VOGEL

Member states ought to discipline local prosecutors who issue European arrest warrants for petty crimes, according to a report scheduled for adoption by the European Commission next week (11 April). The report found that many member states issue European arrest warrants without checks on proportionality.

“Grave and avoidable cases of injustice” are arising, according to pressure groups such as UK based Fair Trials International. Catherine Heard, its director of policy, said: “Europe is now waking up to the need for proportionality in the use of the warrant.”

She considers Reding’s pledges to strengthen procedural rights of suspects and accused persons inadequate: legislative change is required to remedy the problems with the arrest warrant, insists Heard.

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