Extraordinary General Assembly of Istanbul Bar Association - March 17, 2013

UIA President Jean-Marie Burguburu attended the Extraordinary General Assembly of Istanbul Bar Association held on March 17, 2013 and expressed his deepest concerns about the infringement of law practising in Turkey. “When the police invades lawyers' firms – that is no longer democracy! When lawyers' offices are systematically searched – that is no longer the rule of law! When lawyers are arrested solely for doing their work as lawyers – in the Defence – then fundamental freedoms are in grave danger and no government can justify such attitudes for any reason!”

In his vibrant speech, he assured the Turkish Legal Profession of the UIA’s support in this extremely difficult period it is facing: “The UIA will not cease to protest and take action, to the extent possible, as long as the rights of Istanbul's lawyers, Bar Council and Bar President have not been restored and until the Istanbul Bar's independence has been recognized, being as it is one of the largest and most courageous Bars of the world”.

For several years, many lawyers have been suffering judicial harassment because of their professional activities. Some of them are identified with their clients or the cause they defend. Others also suffer harassment due to their involvement in the promotion of universal human rights standards.

Being the organized power of the lawyers, the Bar Associations are especially targeted by systematic intimidation. A lawsuit was filed against the President Ümit Kocasakal and Board Members, without compliance with the permission procedure laid down under the Code with the motion of imprisonment from 2 to 4 years and disbarment. The hearing of this case is going to take place on May 17, 2013.

The UIA gives special attention to the situation of Turkish lawyers and will continue to do so by sending several observation missions in the next months.