Justice at risk: Dismissal of Istanbul’s bar leadership sparks concern

News

The recent court ruling* to remove the president of the Istanbul Bar Association, İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu and all board members from office is an attack on the rule of law, warns the Law Society of England and Wales.

The ruling on 21 March comes in retaliation to a statement issued by the Istanbul Bar Association calling for respect for international humanitarian law after the deaths of two journalists**.

The statement falls within the right to freedom of expression and mandate of the bar association.

This court ruling and ongoing criminal investigation are a direct challenge to the independence and functioning of the Istanbul Bar Association that protects justice and people’s rights in Turkey.

Following this decision, police arrested several lawyers protesting against it outside the courthouse adding to the existing trend of targeting lawyers.

Six more lawyers were arrested in İzmir this week, including the former president of the İzmir Bar Association, Özkan Yücel, for defending demonstrators under arrest***.

Our president Richard Atkinson said: “The actions against the Istanbul Bar Association are simply reprisals for lawyers doing their job protecting justice and democracy in Turkey.

“Attacks on lawyers, their institutions and their clients is not just about their rights, it is about each and every member of society not being able to access justice when they need it the most.

“We stand with the Istanbul Bar Association and call upon Turkish authorities to cease all actions of intimidation against the legal profession and ensure lawyers are safe to practise without interference.

"Justice is a fundamental public service that ensures we live in a fair and safe society where everyone can thrive and prosper.”

Notes to editors

*The court ruling to remove the president of the Istanbul Bar Association was made by the Istanbul Civil Court of First Instance.

**More info about the statement issued by the Istanbul Bar Association can be found here.

***The International Commission of Jurists published a statement on 25 March condemning the arrests.

For more information read the joint statement on 27 January signed by the Law Society and other international legal and human rights organisations on the actions against the Istanbul Bar Association.

Read more about a Law Society member’s experience at the Istanbul Bar Association’s extraordinary congress here.

A letter from the CCBE regarding the ruling against the leadership of the Istanbul Bar Association can be found here.