There is a widespread and systematic persecution of members of the legal profession in Turkey. According to the Law Society, approximately 600 lawyers have been arrested and detained, and over 300 lawyers convicted and sentenced to a total of around 2000 years in prison.

Since the alleged coup attempt in 2016, the Turkish government has carried out a widespread crackdown on human rights in the country, bringing trumped-up charges against journalists, academics and other dissenting voices. When lawyers have attempted to defend those accused, they have faced prosecution themselves (as documented by Amnesty International).

We call for the Law Society recommendations to be implemented by the Turkish Ministry of Justice:

1. Immediately end the arbitrary and systematic arrest, detention, and prosecution of lawyers, judges, and prosecutors; drop the charges against those accused and release those who have been detained, unless credible evidence is presented in proceedings that comply with international fair trial standards;
2. Repeal all constitutional, legislative and other provisions - and cease all practices - that hinder lawyers in carrying out their professional duties and place impermissible limitations on fair trial rights, such as timely access to a lawyer of one’s own choosing, confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients, and the right to prepare for an adequate defence; and
3. Repeal all constitutional, legislative and other provisions - and cease all practices - that restrict judicial and prosecutorial independence, including those allowing the executive to appoint a large number of members of the HSK and the Constitutional Court.