The Right of Suspects and Accused to Lawyer in Compliance with Human Rights Instruments

The Criminal Procedure Code 2013, besides confirming the right of accused persons to advocate assistance in elementary investigation, none credit of investigations achieved without advocate, obligation of judicial authority to issue the warranty of non achievement of advocate to case, it’s being objectionable in 3 days, recognition of the right of accused to have public defender in elementary investigations in crimes that are punished by death penalty or life imprisonment, assignment of public defender for children and adolescents under 18 years old and assignment of public defender for insane people, has taken basic steps toward regarding defense rights of accused and achieve fair proceeding and accomplishment of Iran international obligations. However, there are still limitations in accused person’s accessibility to chosen advocate and his/her accessibility to the case in crimes against national and international security and if the judge, considers accessibility to case contrary to public morals. The most important situation in ignoring accused right to have his/her own advocate is sub paragraph of Art 48 of Reformed Criminal Procedure Code 2015 that is criticized due to some faults including non compliance with Iranian Constitutional Law and international human rights instruments and people’s right of choice. Also there are some criticisms in that it leads to violations of accused persons and their advocates’ rights.