Reactions from bar associations across Turkey and Kurdistan continue to mount over the dismissal of Istanbul Bar Association President Ibrahim Özden Kaboğlu and the executive board, which was carried out under orders from the ruling party.

In an interview with ANF regarding the dismissal of the Istanbul Bar Association president and executive board, Diyarbakır (Amed) Bar Association President Abdulkadir Güleç said: “The Istanbul Bar Association is one of the largest in the world. Elections were held in October, and Mr. Ibrahim Kaboğlu and his administration were elected. Many considered this a major achievement. We all know Mr. Kaboğlu—he is a constitutional law expert and a respected academic who once served on the Constitutional Commission of the Parliament.

Precisely because he is such a distinguished scholar and academician, the Istanbul Bar Association, more than in previous terms, undertook significant work on issues such as human rights violations, the rule of law, and the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. In my view, the reason they were subjected to this public lynching was due to their clear stance as defenders of human rights and the rule of law.

The Istanbul Bar Association was suspended from duty during the second hearing of a case filed by the Chief Public Prosecutor, based on an indictment submitted to the Anatolian Court of Law. There is absolutely no legal basis for this. The Istanbul Bar Association embraced the defense of the rule of law and the fight against human rights violations as its fundamental mission— and acted accordingly to that mission. It was precisely for fulfilling this mission that it was prosecuted and removed from office. This can clearly be seen as both a message and a warning issued by the political authorities.”

This decision marks the collapse of the legal system

Abdulkadir Güleç called the dismissal of the Istanbul Bar Association’s president and executive board a dark stain on the history of law and continued: “This decision is a massive and glaring stain. When we look at the Attorneyship Law, it becomes evident that the Istanbul Bar Association was removed precisely because it fulfilled its duties flawlessly. In my view, this decision is null and void. The ruling issued by the 2nd Civil Court of First Instance in Istanbul regarding the dismissal is equally without legal basis. There can be no other interpretation.

The Istanbul Bar Association has faced intense pressure throughout history. During the September 12 coup, it was subjected to serious repression, and the bar president at the time was arrested. The Diyarbakır Bar Association has also been heavily targeted. Many bar associations have come under political pressure simply for defending the law. Our own bar president was murdered for standing up for justice and defending the right to peace.

Bar associations, as foundational elements of the judiciary, are not only professional bodies but also legal institutions. The pressure placed on them—despite their human rights advocacy and civil society role—is a response to their vocal stance against the policies of those in power. This decision is not only a sign of the legal system’s collapse, but one that is legally void. Such incidents are rare in the history of bar associations in this country. It can only be described as a dark day and a dark stain in history.”

We must stand up for law and democracy

Güleç underlined the urgent need to defend the rule of law and democracy against political pressure and stated: “We have no other choice but to stand up for law and democracy. There is no alternative other than to resist human rights violations. We must confront unjust arrests through legal and democratic means.

It is also important to recall what occurred before the dismissal of the Istanbul Bar Association. Our dear colleague Fırat Epözdemir was unjustly taken into custody and is currently in prison. This arrest must be met with a serious response. There is no place for such actions within the framework of the law. For such things to happen at a time when the peace process is being discussed is simply unacceptable.

That is why all segments of society with a conscience must speak out loudly against these violations, using democratic, legal, and political channels. We can only get through this period by resisting these injustices together.”