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CCBE denounces targeting of Turkish lawyers

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has strongly condemned the targeting of lawyers in Turkey.

In a statement yesterday (27 February) at its standing committee in Vienna, the CCBE said it was deeply concerned at the judicial proceedings and investigations targeting the Istanbul Bar Association, its President, İbrahim Kaboğlu, and the members of its Council.

“These proceedings were initiated in response to their legitimate calls for an effective and impartial investigation into the deaths of two

journalists and for the respect of international humanitarian law — actions that fall squarely within their role in defending the rule of law and human rights,” the CCBE said.

The representative body is also deeply concerned that ten members of the Council of the Istanbul Bar and its President face criminal charges of "terrorist propaganda" and "public dissemination of misleading information", as well as civil proceedings seeking their removal from office.

Arbitrary arrest

The CCBE has denounced the arbitrary arrest and pre-trial detention of lawyer Fırat Epözdemir on 25 January at Istanbul

airport upon his return from a Council of Europe meeting.

“These actions represent a severe attack on the independence of the legal profession and the institutions that represent it.

“The CCBE recalls that lawyers and their representative bodies have the right to participate in public discussions on the law, the administration of justice, and the protection of human rights.

“The independence of bar associations is essential to the independence of the legal profession itself,” it said.