Fair Trials is the global criminal justice watchdog, campaigning for fairness, equality and justice

Fair Trials’ Senior Legal Officer, Chryssa Mela, attended the second High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice. This event was organised by the European Commission and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 20–21 May 2025 in Brussels. The aim of the Forum is to develop a common vision for actions of legislative and non-legislative character for the next five years.

Across Europe, neurodivergent individuals continue to face systemic disadvantages in criminal justice systems that fail to recognise their specific needs and provide the necessary support to enable them to participate meaningfully in the criminal process. Neurodivergent individuals are more prone to experiencing mental health issues, particularly when placed in stressful environments such as police custody, courtrooms, and prisons. In fact, neurodivergent individuals are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges in unsupportive settings. That is why during European Mental Health Week, Fair Trials is calling for transformative change in how courts identify, assess, and support neurodivergent individuals.