Lawyers in 'Vigil for Justice' Action
Lawyers in 'Vigil for Justice' Action
On 5 April Lawyers’ Day, members of Freedom for Defense Platform will organize a “Vigil for Justice” in front of the Istanbul Court in Çaðlayan to protest against the arrest of lawyers within the scope of the so-called KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) operation.
The written statement by the Platform reminded the fact that 36 lawyers are currently jailed in Turkey and said that; “As the arrest of lawyers has openly violated all principles of advocacy immunity, we call on all our colleagues to stand guard for justice to demand an end to all attacks on the profession of advocacy.”
The protest action will also be supported by the Bar Association of Istanbul which will on 6 April stage a protest demo against “Specially Authorized Courts and Practices Against Advocacy” in front of Silivri Prison site. The demo will be followed by a panel discussion titled “Lawyer on Trial”.
One other statement to mark the meaning and importance of the day was released by Lawyer Uður Yetimoðlu, President of Foundation for Lawyers’ Solidarity, who underlined that “The profession of advocacy is suffering”. Yetimoðlu pointed out that lawyers have been subject to raids in their office, seizure of their documents, audio surveillance and trials within the scope of the crime of being member to a terror organization.
Remarking that the “fear environment” at Specially Authorized Courts is imposed on lawyers as well, the statement added that; “As the Foundation of Lawyers, we will be standing by our colleagues against all threats and pressures imposed on the right of defense, the profession of advocacy and its honor. We call on all segments of the society, lawyers in particular, to protect the profession and right to defense.”
The written statement by the Platform reminded the fact that 36 lawyers are currently jailed in Turkey and said that; “As the arrest of lawyers has openly violated all principles of advocacy immunity, we call on all our colleagues to stand guard for justice to demand an end to all attacks on the profession of advocacy.”
The protest action will also be supported by the Bar Association of Istanbul which will on 6 April stage a protest demo against “Specially Authorized Courts and Practices Against Advocacy” in front of Silivri Prison site. The demo will be followed by a panel discussion titled “Lawyer on Trial”.
One other statement to mark the meaning and importance of the day was released by Lawyer Uður Yetimoðlu, President of Foundation for Lawyers’ Solidarity, who underlined that “The profession of advocacy is suffering”. Yetimoðlu pointed out that lawyers have been subject to raids in their office, seizure of their documents, audio surveillance and trials within the scope of the crime of being member to a terror organization.
Remarking that the “fear environment” at Specially Authorized Courts is imposed on lawyers as well, the statement added that; “As the Foundation of Lawyers, we will be standing by our colleagues against all threats and pressures imposed on the right of defense, the profession of advocacy and its honor. We call on all segments of the society, lawyers in particular, to protect the profession and right to defense.”
