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The arrest of human rights lawyers in Turkey ‘strikes at the heart’ of democratic values and has ‘seriously undermined’ the rule of law, the Bar chair has said.
The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) and the Bar Council have expressed ‘deep concern’ over the recent treatment of lawyers by the Turkish authorities.
Nine human rights lawyers, known for their work in representing minority groups and people accused of terrorism and crimes against the state, were arrested in police raids on their homes.
Following their arrest, riot police attacked the lawyers who were representing their detained colleagues during a press conference on the steps of the courtroom.
Although subsequently released, the nine remain under prosecution on undisclosed evidence in breach of fair trial rights.
The Bar Council said the arrests were a breach of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
Its chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said: ‘The recent mass arrest and detention of lawyers in Turkey strikes at the heart of our most fundamental civil and democratic values.
‘A mandatory component of the rule of law is that people who are accused of crimes may be represented by a legal representative. The rule of law is, therefore, seriously undermined when lawyers are persecuted for, and prevented from, carrying out their duties.’
Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the BHRC, said: ‘The arrest of nine defence lawyers on the day before the trial of the 47 defence lawyers they were to represent is Kafkaesque in its extreme contempt of the rule of law and due process.’
The BHRC called on the Turkish authorities to take urgent action to remedy the ongoing breaches of international law and the ‘deep erosion’ by the state of the rule of law.
The arrest of human rights lawyers in Turkey ‘strikes at the heart’ of democratic values and has ‘seriously undermined’ the rule of law, the Bar chair has said.
The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) and the Bar Council have expressed ‘deep concern’ over the recent treatment of lawyers by the Turkish authorities.
Nine human rights lawyers, known for their work in representing minority groups and people accused of terrorism and crimes against the state, were arrested in police raids on their homes.
Following their arrest, riot police attacked the lawyers who were representing their detained colleagues during a press conference on the steps of the courtroom.
Although subsequently released, the nine remain under prosecution on undisclosed evidence in breach of fair trial rights.
The Bar Council said the arrests were a breach of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
Its chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said: ‘The recent mass arrest and detention of lawyers in Turkey strikes at the heart of our most fundamental civil and democratic values.
‘A mandatory component of the rule of law is that people who are accused of crimes may be represented by a legal representative. The rule of law is, therefore, seriously undermined when lawyers are persecuted for, and prevented from, carrying out their duties.’
Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the BHRC, said: ‘The arrest of nine defence lawyers on the day before the trial of the 47 defence lawyers they were to represent is Kafkaesque in its extreme contempt of the rule of law and due process.’
The BHRC called on the Turkish authorities to take urgent action to remedy the ongoing breaches of international law and the ‘deep erosion’ by the state of the rule of law.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
