EU Statement at UN Crime Congress workshop on ensuring equal access to justice for all, 27 September 2026

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The European Union welcomes the organisation of this workshop and thanks UNODC and ILANUD for bringing attention to the important issue of ensuring equal access to justice for all as a fundamental pillar of the rule of law.

Equal access to justice is essential to fair, humane and effective criminal justice systems. It is also a prerequisite for the protection of human rights, public trust, and safe, inclusive and resilient societies. Yet for many individuals and communities, justice remains difficult to access or entirely out of reach.

Justice systems must therefore be people-centred, accessible, effective and accountable. This includes fair trial guarantees, independent and impartial institutions, accessible legal aid, and effective support services for victims. Access to justice must be upheld across the criminal justice chain, from first contact with law enforcement to judicial proceedings and remedies. The six EU directives on the rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings establish a solid framework on minimum standards in this respect. 

The European Union has strengthened its legal and policy framework on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime: in 2026 a revised Victims’ Rights Directive was adopted and a new EU Strategy on victims’ rights is planned for the end of this year.

Our framework places particular emphasis on victim-centred, trauma-informed, gender-sensitive and child-sensitive approaches. 

We also underline the importance of child-friendly justice for both child victims and children who come into conflict with the law, some of whom have themselves been victimised.

At EU level, these priorities are reflected in legislation and policy, including the above-mentioned Victims’ Rights Directive and the Directive on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings.

The European Union also recognises the potential of digital tools to improve access to justice through better information and more efficient services. At the same time, digital transformation must remain inclusive and fully respect human rights, privacy, accessibility and non-discrimination. Effective non-digital avenues to justice must remain available, especially in criminal matters.

Chair,

As this workshop has underscored, ensuring equal access to justice requires cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder cooperation, including among law enforcement, prosecution services, courts, staff of detention facilities, parole officers, legal aid providers, victim support organisations, social services and civil society.

The European Union welcomes these discussions, looks forward to the conclusions by the Chair and remains committed to working with all partners to advance inclusive, rights-based justice systems that respect the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all.

Thank you.