UIA-IROL calls for the immediate release of lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan and expresses serious concern over judicial harassment in Türkiye

In a related development, UIA-IROL notes with concern the **sudden reallocation of two judges** from the panel of the 5th Istanbul Administrative Court who had recently issued an interim decision favorable to Mr. İmamoğlu in a separate dispute concerning his university diploma. These developments raise **serious questions about the independence of the judiciary in politically sensitive cases.**

UIA-IROL urgently calls upon the Turkish authorities to:

 1. **Immediately release lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan** and drop all charges that stem from his professional conduct;  
 
 2. **Cease the criminalisation of legal defense activities** and uphold the independence of the legal profession in accordance with international standards, including the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

UIA-IROL further urges the international community, and in particular:

 • the European Union institutions,  
 • the Council of Europe,  
 • and all bar associations, professional bodies, and human rights institutions in Europe and beyond,

to **speak out forcefully** against the criminalisation of lawyers and to **insist on the respect for the Rule of Law and due process in Türkiye**. Silence in the face of such violations risks normalising the erosion of fundamental freedoms under the guise of criminal justice.

UIA-IROL will continue to monitor this case closely and remains in contact with national and international partners to ensure that the rights of lawyers and the Rule of Law are respected in Türkiye.