Brussels has called on crime suspects be given a letter setting out their human rights.

The European Commission has published a green paper on procedural guarantees for criminal suspects.

Among proposals is a "letter of rights" detailing protections under existing legislation at a national and European level.

"We're not talking about any new rights here," said a commission spokesman.

"We just want to make more visible the rights in the European Convention of Human Rights."

Envisaged as "a short document to be given to suspects as early as possible, possibly on arrest" the move is set to be welcomed by human rights groups.

The move will build European confidence in other countries' judicial systems at a time when former Communist-bloc states are set join the EU.

"It is important for the judicial authorities of each member state to have confidence in the judicial systems of the other member states. Faith in procedural safeguards and the fairness of proceedings operate so as to strengthen that confidence," said justice and home affairs commissioner, Antonio Vitorino.

"Having minimum common standards is the best way of ensuring homogeneous protection of individual rights throughout the union."

Brussels regards the move as "the first step towards achieving common minimum standards" across Europe.

"Common minimum standards can only be achieved if action is taken at the EU level," said a Brussels spokesman.

"Since if member states retain the discretion to set their own standards, discrepancies are inevitable. And discrepancies cause the lack of mutual trust that has undermined the principle of mutual recognition to date."

"This problem may become more acute after enlargement, making it imperative that common minimum standards are agreed prior to April 2004."