Article 11 centers on the right to a fair trial, emphasizing that everyone who is accused of any penal offense shall benefit from the presumption of being innocent until proven otherwise; he shall be informed promptly and in detail of the charges against him, and shall have the right to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense; he shall be tried in his presence, and shall be entitled to be tried in public either by an ordinary court or by a special court of similar jurisdiction. It also includes the immunity from punishment for an act which was not charged with being a crime when it occurred, prohibiting ex post facto laws. Article 11 generally should result in the administration of such a fair and independent judicial procedure by any individual as is referred to above as a fundamental aspect of human rights protection and the rule of law in democratic communities. Through such provision, Article 11 intends to establish trust in judicial systems as well as respect for dignity on each person’s level within the legal framework.
Written by: Nabeela Mohiud-din