The trial is the archetype of criminal justice, but is starting to disappear. In many parts of the world, trials are being replaced by legal regimes that encourage suspects to admit guilt and waive their right to a full trial.

All over the world, basic rights are being violated every day in police stations, court rooms and prisons. This is causing miscarriages of justice, undermining public faith in criminal justice systems and getting in the way of cross-border cooperation.

The right to information in criminal proceedings is supposed to ensure that every arrested person knows why they have been arrested and what evidence has been collected against them. Is it happening though? 

In our increasingly globalised world, there is a growing need for effective extradition laws to help fight cross border crime. The fundamental human right to a fair trial must, however, be at the heart of cross border justice.

Globally, there are currently close to three million people being held in pre-trial detention. Detained without a trial and for an indefinite period, the human toll can be immense. 

INTERPOL plays a vital role in fighting crime, but we know that its systems are being abused by countries around the world in order to persecute refugees, journalists and peaceful political demonstrators. Photo: interpol.int