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Joint Statement on the Arrest and Detention of Lawyer Ruken Gülağacı

The undersigned bar associations and lawyers’ rights organisations express their deep concern over the detention of lawyer Ruken Gülağacı on 20 May 2025. On 21 May, the Criminal Peace Judgeship issued a house arrest order against Ms Gülağacı—an alarming escalation that further compounds our concern.


Ms Gülağacı is a member of the Istanbul Bar Association and an executive board member of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (Özgürlük için Hukukçular Derneği – ÖHD), and frequently represents academics, lawyers, and Kurdish politicians. She is also an active member of the Foundation for Society and Legal Studies (TOHAV), a board member of the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH), and a dedicated advocate for human rights in Türkiye.


On the evening of 20 May 2025, Ms Gülağacı was arrested by police officers while visiting Kandıra Prison to meet with her client. She was detained overnight at the police station and transferred the next day to Çağlayan Courthouse, where she gave her statement before the Prosecutor at approximately 3 PM local time. According to the lawyers accompanying Ms Gülağacı, the Prosecutor’s questioning directly targeted her professional activities. She was interrogated about the clients she represents and her meetings with them—actions that are part and parcel of a lawyer’s core duties. It was evident that her lawful professional work, and by extension her right to freedom of expression and association, was being criminalised.


Following her interrogation, the Prosecutor referred Ms Gülağacı to the Criminal Peace Judgeship with a request for judicial control in the form of house arrest. A house arrest order was then issued in absentia, without her being brought before a judge, and solely on the basis of documents. No written justification was provided for this decision, in direct contradiction with Constitutional Court precedent and despite the explicit request of her defence counsel for her to appear in person. This ruling, rendered without even the minimal procedural guarantees, will be remembered as a grave breach of judicial independence and a stain on the rule of law.


We are deeply concerned that Ms Gülağacı’s arrest and ongoing restriction of liberty are directly linked to her work as a lawyer. The identification of Ms Gülağacı with her clients or their causes is a violation of international standards protecting the independence of the legal profession.


Further procedural irregularities cast doubt on the fairness of the proceedings: Ms Gülağacı was not allowed to defend herself in person before the court; and she was arrested without prior formal notification, despite being a practicing lawyer who attends court daily. These factors alone render the arrest procedure defective from the outset and raise serious concerns regarding the right to a fair trial.


These events unfold amidst a broader and troubling context. Türkiye is currently witnessing an unprecedented crackdown on the legal profession and civil society. In the wake of mass protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, hundreds of demonstrators have been detained, often without access to legal counsel or procedural safeguards. The legal representation of political dissidents is increasingly treated as a criminal act in itself.


The measures taken against Ms Gülağacı constitute a direct and dangerous interference with the right to legal defence, impede access to justice, and further criminalise the work of lawyers representing dissenting voices. This marks a deepening erosion of the guarantees of a fair trial and the rule of law.


As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, Türkiye is obligated to ensure that no one is subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention and that any deprivation of liberty is lawful and justified. Fair trial rights, including the presumption of innocence and access to legal representation, must be upheld at all times.

In line with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers:
• Principle 16 affirms that lawyers must be able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.
• Principle 18 provides that lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.
We, the undersigned, call on the Turkish authorities to:
• Immediately and unconditionally lift the order of house arrest against Ruken Gülağacı and the release of all other lawyers detained solely for performing their professional duties;
• Ensure that pre-trial detention and house arrest are applied only as exceptional measures of last resort, with full respect for due process and the right to be heard before a judge;
• End all forms of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention targeting lawyers, and refrain from unlawfully identifying lawyers with their clients or their clients’ political or social positions;
• Promptly sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, thereby reinforcing its commitment to the international legal framework governing the independence and protection of legal professionals.

We will continue to closely monitor the case of Ms Gülağacı and the broader situation facing the legal profession in Türkiye.


Signatories:
• Asociación de Derecho Penitenciario “Rebeca Santamalia” – Estado español (ASDEPRES)
• Asociación Libre de Abogacia (ALA) (Spain)
• Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos de Andalucía (APDHA)
• Avocats Européens Démocrates – European Democratic Lawyers
• Bologna Bar Association (Italy)
• CCBE – Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
• Cooperative of Women Lawyers in Barcelona (IACTA)
• Cyprus Democratic Lawyers Association (CDLA)
• Défense Sans Frontière – Avocats Solidaires.
• Democratic Jurists (Italy)
• Democratic Lawyers of Switzerland (DJS-JDS)
• Deutscher Anwaltverein (German Bar Association)
• European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
• Euskal Herriko Giza eskubideen Behatokia ( Basque Country)
• Foundation Day of the Endangered Lawyer (the Netherlands)
• Lawyer Leonardo Arnau, the Chair of the Human Rights Committee of Consiglio Nazionale Forense (Italy)
• Il Centro di Ricerca ed Elaborazione per la Democrazia ( CRED) (Italy)
• Institut des Droits de l’Homme du Barreau de Montpellier (France)
• Institute for the Rule of Law of the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA-IROL)
• International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)
• International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD)
• Lawyers for Lawyers (the Netherlands)
• Legal Centre Lesvos, (Greece)
• Legal Team Italia
• Le SAD – Syndicat des Avocats pour la Démocratie (Belgium)
• MAF-DAD – Association for Democracy and International Law e.V. (Germany)
• Osservatorio Avvocati Minacciati (Italy)
• Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein (RAV e.V.) (Germany)
• Socialist Lawyers Association of Ireland
• The Defence Commission of the Barcelona Bar Association
• The Law Society of England and Wales (UK)
• The Norwegian Bar Association
• Turkey Litigation Support Project (TLSP)
• Turin Bar Association (Italy)
• Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane (UCPI)
• Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V. (VDJ) (Germany)
• Vereniging Sociale Advocatuur Nederland (VSAN) (the Netherlands)

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On the Revocation of the President of the Istanbul Bar Association.

AED- EDL firmly condemns the revocation of the Istanbul Bar President İbrahim Kaboğlu, and the dissolution of the Board for alleged acts of terrorist propaganda.
 
This dissolution follows the judicial procedure initiated on January 14, 2025 by the Istanbul Prosecutor General in retaliation for the statement issued by the Bar Association on December 21, 2024 condemning the deaths of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were allegedly killed in a Turkish drone strike in northern Syria.

AED-EDL strongly recalls that professional organisations, including the Bars and Law Societies, have the right and duty to express their views on matters of public interest, in particular when they concern the rule of law and human rights.

This dissolution is an instrumentalization of legal proceedings by the Turkish authorities with the sole aim of preventing the Istanbul Bar Association from exercising its fundamental right to freedom of expression in accordance with international instruments and the principles governing the legal profession.
 
The court decision is a clear attack on the independence and functioning of the Istanbul Bar Association, an institution that plays together with the professional organisation a vital role in safeguarding human rights and defending the rule of law in Turkey.

AED-EDL urges the Turkish authorities not to implement this decision which clearly violates article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers

The AED-EDL express its full support and deepest solidarity to all the member of Istanbul Bar Association and its President who are once again facing these measures, which are a flagrant violation of international human rights law and the principles governing the legal profession.

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Turkey must do its part to achieve peace following Abdullah Öcalan’s call!

There is a historic opportunity for lasting peace for Turkey and the region. Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society, shared with the public on February 27, 2025, is a critical step towards ending the long-standing conflict and violence and
initiating a democratic resolution process. This call not only carries great potential for the stability and protection of human rights in Turkey but also for the entire region.


Peace is one of the most fundamental values of humanity and is at the forefront of the universal principles that form the basis of international law. It is also an indispensable necessity for everyone to fully benefit from human rights. As a state,
Turkey must fulfil its responsibilities to its own people and the people of the region, meet its obligations arising from international law, and take the necessary steps to
establish peace.


In this process, creating conditions that will allow Abdullah Öcalan’s active participation in the peace process is of great importance. This not only ensures the protection of his fundamental rights, including the right to communicate with the
outside world and the ‘right to hope’ in response to over 25 years of imprisonment but also provides a significant opportunity for the implementation of democratization and the principles of the rule of law.


According to the United Nations Right to Peace Declaration, the establishment of peace requires ensuring equality, justice, and the supremacy of law; it necessitates building a society free from fear and deprivation, and free from discrimination. Accordingly, it is essential for Turkey to quickly review its penal laws, anti-terrorism laws, and similar regulations in the light of the decisions and recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights and international legal mechanisms, and to implement the necessary reforms. Ensuring judicial independence must be one of the cornerstones of this process. Additionally, for the achievement of societal peace, Turkish authorities need to plan and implement necessary regulations concerning political prisoners in jails.

Furthermore, cultural and social adjustments should be made in line with the necessities of a pluralistic society, and an environment where everyone has equal rights should be created.
In essence, the state of Turkey and the Turkish people are faced with a historic peace opportunity after a conflict process that has lasted 50 years. Authorities are obligated to ensure the cessation of arms and to establish an environment where the people of Turkey can enjoy peace and tranquillity with equal rights and freedoms.

We, the undersigned legal organizations, call on Turkey and all actors of peace to seize this historic opportunity and take the steps required by the peace process. Every step taken towards peace and the strengthening of human rights, justice, and democracy not only holds great importance for the future of Turkey but for the entire region as well. The construction of peace is our common responsibility. In this context, we call on all international public opinion to support the peace call and take an active role in fulfilling the requirements of this call.

There is a historic opportunity for lasting peace for Turkey and the region. Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society, shared with the public on February 27, 2025, is a critical step towards ending the long-standing conflict and violence and
initiating a democratic resolution process. This call not only carries great potential for the stability and protection of human rights in Turkey but also for the entire region. Peace is one of the most fundamental values of humanity and is at the forefront of the universal principles that form the basis of international law. It is also an indispensable necessity for everyone to fully benefit from human rights. As a state, Turkey must fulfil its responsibilities to its own people and the people of the region, meet its obligations arising from international law, and take the necessary steps to establish peace.


In this process, creating conditions that will allow Abdullah Öcalan’s active participation in the peace process is of great importance. This not only ensures the protection of his fundamental rights, including the right to communicate with the
outside world and the ‘right to hope’ in response to over 25 years of imprisonment but also provides a significant opportunity for the implementation of democratization and the principles of the rule of law.


According to the United Nations Right to Peace Declaration, the establishment of peace requires ensuring equality, justice, and the supremacy of law; it necessitates building a society free from fear and deprivation, and free from discrimination.
Accordingly, it is essential for Turkey to quickly review its penal laws, anti-terrorism laws, and similar regulations in the light of the decisions and recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights and international legal mechanisms, and to
implement the necessary reforms. Ensuring judicial independence must be one of the cornerstones of this process.
Additionally, for the achievement of societal peace, Turkish authorities need to plan and implement necessary regulations concerning political prisoners in jails.


Furthermore, cultural and social adjustments should be made in line with the necessities of a pluralistic society, and an environment where everyone has equal rights should be created.
In essence, the state of Turkey and the Turkish people are faced with a historic peace opportunity after a conflict process that has lasted 50 years. Authorities are obligated to ensure the cessation of arms and to establish an environment where the people of Turkey can enjoy peace and tranquillity with equal rights and freedoms.


We, the undersigned legal organizations, call on Turkey and all actors of peace to seize this historic opportunity and take the steps required by the peace process. Every step taken towards peace and the strengthening of human rights, justice, and democracy not only holds great importance for the future of Turkey but for the entire region as well.
The construction of peace is our common responsibility. In this context, we call on all international public opinion to support the peace call and take an active role in fulfilling the requirements of this call.

Turkey must do its part to achieve peace following Abdullah Öcalan’s call!

Asociación Americana de Juristas
Association for Democracy and International Law (Maf-Dad)
Democratic Jurists, Italy (Giuristi Democratici)
European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
European Democratic Lawyers (AED)
Giza Eskubideen Behatokia (Observatory of Human Rights) Basque Country
International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
Legal Centre Lesvos
Legal Team Italia
National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), Philippines
Socialist Lawyers Association of Ireland
Swiss Democratic Lawyers
The Defence Commission of the Barcelona Bar
The National Association of Democratic Lawyers (South Africa)

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The Erosion of Legal Independence and Professional Rights in BELARUS

The DAY OF THE ENDANGERED LAWYER is commemorated annually on the 24th of January. On this date, January 24,1977, four trade union lawyers and the employee of a law firm were murdered in their office in the Atocha street of the Spanish capital Madrid, when a group of men broke into their office. These lawyers were assassinated for exercising their profession and with the aim of instilling fear and destabilizing Spain’s democratic system after decades of Franco’s unlawful dictatorship.
Since 2010, and in remembrance of the Atocha Massacre, January 24 has been chosen to highlight the difficulties and dangers of lawyers in the exercise of their profession. Every year the focus is on one particular country, where lawyers are being harassed, silenced, pressured, threatened, persecuted and even tortured or murdered.
In past years, the Day has focused on countries like China, Iran, Egypt or Turkey and the number of organisations and bar associations joining the Coalition of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer has grown steadily, acquiring global importance.

Protecting lawyers from persecution and constraints in the exercise of their work is of vital importance for a functioning democracy.
As such, the UN has set forth a set of principles, to promote and ensure the proper role of lawyers, should be respected and taken into account by Governments within the framework of their national legislation.
Under these basic principles, “Governments shall ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.” In addition, lawyers, like other citizens, are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights, and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful actions or their membership in a lawful organization.

These principles, known as the Havana Principles furthermore protect the independence of professional associations of lawyers and the appropriate procedures for disciplinary proceedings to ensure lawyers can work independently and without fear of repression in account of their work.

The Erosion of Legal Independence and Professional Rights in BELARUS
This year, the Day of the Endangered Lawyer is dedicated to the plight of lawyers und human rights defenders in Belarus. The findings of the report, on which our claims are based, indicate a troubling deterioration of the situation of lawyers in Belarus since 2020. In fact, there seems to be persistent trend in Belarus where legal practitioners face increasing criminal sanctions, arbitrary detentions, and systemic interference in their professional duties.
The legal framework and practices currently observed in Belarus deeply infringe on lawyers’ rights by enforcing excessive restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrarily interpreting and applying these restrictions, and penalising participation in lawful international activities. There is a critical need for reform and strict adherence to legal principles that protect the independence and professional activities of lawyers to restore fairness and justice within the legal system in Belarus.
Furthermore, the combination of state bodies, bar associations, and state media has created an atmosphere of intimidation that severely impacts the legal profession’s integrity. Such an atmosphere not only targets individual lawyers but also seeks to inhibit the entire legal community from effectively performing their duties, thus directly infringing on the rights of clients and compromising the integrity of legal defense, especially in politically sensitive cases.
The Belarusian state’s actions contravene both national laws and international standards. These actions include misusing ethical standards to sanction lawyers for their professional and public expressions, thereby stifling dissent and curbing lawful advocacy. This systemic assault is aimed at silencing the legal community and inhibiting its ability to uphold democratic principles and human rights effectively.


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International Day of the Endangered Lawyer – 15th Edition

22 January 2025, 14.00 CET
(Via Teams)

Opening Remarks:
Symone Gaasbeek – The Foundation of Day of the Endangered Lawyer

Keynote Speakers:
Margaret Satterthwaite – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
Nils Muižnieks – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus (Invited)
Iryna Kozikava, Lawyer – Executive Director PEN Belarus

Presentation of the Coalition’s Report:
Anna Masiota –  Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA-IROL)
Closing Remarks:
Federico Cappelletti – European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)

Moderation:
Juan Prosper – European Democratic Lawyers (AED) and European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)

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Day of the Endangered Lawyer, 15th Edition: BELARUS

Since 2010, the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer has been observed annually on 24 January, organised first by the AED-EDL and then by the Coalition for the Endangered Lawyer, a network of national and international legal organisations and bar associations. The day aims to draw attention to the plight faced by lawyers in the exercise of their profession in a particular country each year, and encourage action by government officials, international institutions, civil society, the media and the public. 

This year, 2025, the Day of the Endangered Lawyer spotlights the persecution of lawyers in Belarus, who face systematic harassment and interferences with their professional activities. Following the Presidential election and mass protests in 2020, a crackdown by the government has resulted in the targeting of lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, and dissidents. The evidence in this report indicates a persistent and troubling trend in Belarus where legal practitioners face increasing criminal sanctions, arbitrary detentions, and systemic interference in their professional duties.

On the 22nd of January a press conference will take place to explain the difficult situation of lawyers in Belarus.

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Urgent request for intervention in favour of renowned Iranian human rights defender Reza Khandan

Download the request

Ms. Mai Sato
UN Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran

Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite
UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers

Ms. Mary Lawlor
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders

Mr. Alain Berset
Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Mr. Michael O’Flaherty
Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe

Ms. Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament

Mr. António Costa
President of the European Council

Ms. Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission

Ms. Kaja Kallas
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
of the European Commission

Mr. Javier Zarzalejos
President LIBE Committee of the European Parliament

EEAS Iran Division

Venice, 18/12/2024

Re: Urgent request for intervention in favour of renowned Iranian human rights defender Reza Khandan


Dear All,
The undersigned organizations urge you to take urgent, concrete action in the case of Reza Khandan, renowned
Iranian human rights activist and husband of the iconic human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. Khandan, Sotoudeh, and their family have been the objects of a sustained, protracted campaign of abuse at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran (“IR”).
Khandan was once again arrested last Friday, 13 December 2024, after IR security forces raided his home. Khandan was arrested for the first time in September 2018, and was charged with “spreading propaganda against the system” and “colluding to commit crimes against national security,” after posting several online updates about his wife’s June 2018 arrest and protesting against the IR’s mandatory hijab law by producing and distributing pins that read: ‘I stand against the compulsory hijab’. Khandan was released on bail in December 20185, but in January 2019 was sentenced to six years in prison with another activist, Farhad Meysami.
On 13 February 2023, Khandan was summoned to appear within 30 days in prison for the execution of this sentence, just a few short weeks after his wife Nasrin Sotoudeh appeared on CNN to call for the release of Meysami. At the time of Sotoudeh’s TV appearance, Meysami’s life was in grave danger after a lengthy hunger strike. Meysami was freed from the infamous, overcrowded Evin Prison soon thereafter, on 10 February 2023. The summons issued to Khandan was not enforced at the time after 22 organisations of jurists from around the world, including many of the signatories here, called for your intervention. Significantly, Khandan’s most recent arrest occurred on the very same day that the IR’s even more onerous new law on “Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab” was scheduled to come into force.
Khandan’s wife, Nasrin Sotoudeh, was herself one of many women who denounced the new law earlier this month, emphasizing that the law increases the punishment for women and girls aged 12 and older who do not wear hijab. In addition, it applies to online activities, resulting in large fines and lengthy prison sentences (up to 15 years), and even possible death sentences12. UN experts have demanded that the new law be repealed.
Reza Khandan and his family have been, and continue to be, victims of extreme judicial persecution. IR authorities must immediately and unconditionally rescind the summons and suspend the execution of the sentence against Khandan, drop all the charges against him and his wife Nasrin Sotoudeh, and cease the longstanding campaign of persecution of them and their family for their efforts to protect, inter alia, women from discrimination and humiliation to which they are subject in contravention of the principle of civilisation enshrined in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ratified by Iran in 1948, according to which “all human beings are born
free and equal in dignity and rights”, where dignity comes even before rights.
Likewise, recognizing the freedoms of thought, conscience, religion, expression, assembly and association, as well as the right to a fair trial, all of which are foundations of civilised existence, the international community, including the EU (given its ongoing dialogue with Iran), must condemn all forms of discrimination, persecution, and violence on the part of the IR – including the use of barbaric, often gratuitous and lethal force against peaceful protesters, brutal beatings, torture, and sexual violence, baseless arrests, meritless prosecutions, and sham trials and convictions, with draconian sentencing to flogging and long years of imprisonment in the most primitive, crowded
conditions – and, of course, executions.

We – the undersigned Colleagues, Magistrates, NGOs and civil society – stand united and resolute in denouncing the IR’s violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, and in supporting Iran’s courageous human rights defenders. We ask you, once again, for a firm, definitive, and incisive commitment to end the judicial harassment of Reza Khandan and Nasrin Sotoudeh, recalling the tenets of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, and States’ responsibilities enshrined therein.


If we do not defend human rights defenders, who will defend human rights?

We thank you for your attention and we rely on your prompt and effective intervention.
Best regards,

Avocats Européens Democrats / European Democratic Lawyers
Ordre des avocats francophones et germanophone de Belgique / Belgium
Barreau de Bordeaux – Bordeaux Bar Association / France
Barreau Pénal International – International Criminal Bar (BP
Consiglio Nazionale Forense – Italian National Bar Council / Italy
Defense Commission of the Barcelona Bar Association / Spain
Défense Sans Frontière – Avocats Solidaires / France
Deutscher Anwaltverein – German Bar Association / Germany
European Criminal Bar Association
European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights
Foundation Day of the Endangered Lawyer
International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL), Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers
International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
Institut des Droits de l’Homme du Barreau de Bordeaux / France
Institut des Droits de l’Homme, Barreau de Bruxelles / Belgium
Institut des Droits de l’Homme du Barraeau de Paris / France
Institut des Droits de l’Homme des Avocats Européens (IDHAE)
Magistrats Européens pour la Démocratie et les Libertés
New York City Bar Association / United States of America
Observatoire International des Avocats en Danger / International Observatory for Lawyers (OIAD)
Progressive Lawyers’ Association / Turkey
Rechtsanwaltskammer Berlin / Germany
Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA-IROL)
Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane – Union of the Italian Criminal Chambers / Italy

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-Joint Statement – The International Legal Community Condemns the Detention of Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu

The undersigned organizations vehemently condemn the detention of Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu, who is registered with the Adana Bar Association and a member of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), following a police raid on his residence and subsequent arrest at the Çukurova airport in Tarsus.

On the morning of 26 November 2024, authorities executed a raid at Attorney Rişvanoğlu’s home without his presence, as he was traveling by plane. Subsequently, he was detained directly from the Çukurova airport upon his arrival. Notably, the raid was conducted without the presence or oversight of a prosecutor or representative from the Adana Bar Association and was only witnessed by a local community leader. A confidentiality order was promptly issued, and Attorney Rişvanoğlu was subjected to a 24-hour restriction on communication with his defense team, complicating his right to a fair defense.

Attorney Rişvanoğlu’s health remains stable, and there have been no reports of mistreatment. However, the charges against him purportedly relate to membership of a ‘terrorist’ organization, and the circumstances surrounding his detention raise significant concerns regarding adherence to legal norms and human rights.

As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and European Convention on Human Rights, Turkey has an obligation to ensure, inter alia, that no-one is subject to arbitrary arrest or detention.

Furthermore, in accordance with international standards, lawyers must be able to perform all their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; and shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics.

The arrest and detention of Attorney Rişvanoğlu are a clear violation of his human rights, including the right to a fair trial and must cease immediately. His rights must be safeguarded; he must be treated fairly and have full access to his lawyers.

Therefore, the undersigned organizations urge the Turkish authorities to: 1. Release Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu immediately.

  1. Immediately and unconditionally ensure that Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu is afforded a fair trial and that his legal rights are fully respected, including access to his legal team and disclosure of the accusations against him.
  2. Takeallnecessarymeasurestoguaranteetherightstodueprocessandaccessto justice for Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu.
  3. Guarantee,inallcircumstances,thatalllawyersinTurkeyareabletocarryout their professional duties without fear of reprisals, undue restrictions, or judicial harassment, in compliance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
  4. Ensure the rights of persons deprived of their liberty are respected at all times.

The undersigned organizations remind the prosecution office, relevant court and the Turkish authorities that the international community is closely monitoring the treatment of legal professionals in Turkey. The actions taken against Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu not only affect him but also impact the broader perception of justice and rule of law within the country.

The undersigned organizations will observe the ongoing process with strong attention.

AED-EDL (European Democratic Lawyers)

Centro di ricerca ed elaborazione per la democrazia

Syndicat des Avocats pour la Démocratie

The Law Society of England and Wales

Consiglio dell’Ordine degli Avvocati di Torino – Italia

International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)

Legal Team Italia

VSAN (Association of Social Lawyers in the Netherlands)

Giuristi Democratici – Italy

Institut des Droits de l’Homme Barreau de Montpellier

Lawyers for Lawyers

Comissió de Defensa de l’Il·lustre Col·legi de l’Advocacia de Barcelona

European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights (ELDH)

International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL)

Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein (RAV e.V.)

Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V. (VDJ)

Deutscher Anwaltverein e.V.

Institut des Droits de L’Homme du Barreau de Bordeaux

Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers

Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane, Italia

International Association of Democratic Lawyers

Basque Country Observatory of Human Rights

Défense Sans Frontière – Avocats Solidaires

the Dutch League for Human Rights.

Swiss Democratic Lawyers

Berlin Bar Association

International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD)

Avocats sans frontières

Asociación Americana de Juristas

Download the statement

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On the arrest of lawyer Berdirhan Sarsılmaz

We, the AED-EDL European Lawyers’ Association, have come to know that on the 25th of October, lawyer Bedirhan Sarsılmaz was taken into custody. At the moment of his detention, lawyer Bedirhan Sarsılmaz, had just finished his plea as part of the defense counsel of his client and was exercising his profession.

Lawyer Bedirhan Sarsılmaz of the Istanbul bar association, is member of the ÖHD, an Association of Lawyers for Freedom, member organization of the AED-EDL, a confederation of lawyers’ associations sharing the same democratic ideals: to defend the rights of citizens by preserving the independence of lawyers.

The AED-EDL condemns this arrest, which is in clear violation with the fundamental principles of law and a direct intervention in the right of the defense as set out in the Havana Principles of 1990. These Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers were adopted to protect lawyers during the exercise of their profession. The principles further provide, “Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.”

The AED-EDL considers the conditions of arrest of our colleague Bedirhan Sarsılmaz unacceptable and asks for his immediate release. We will continue to follow with attention.

Wednesday, 31st October 2024
Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome, Brussels, Athens

Download the press statement

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Selçuk Kozağaçlı’s honorary presidency

The General Assembly of the European Democratic Lawyers (AED), which took place on February 16-17 2024, marked the beginning of a new era in the fight for fundamental principles such as the rule of law, human rights, and fair trial.

During this critical period, for the first time in the history of AED, a figure who had not previously served as president, Lawyer Selçuk Kozağaçlı, was elected as honorary president. Despite being unjustly and arbitrarily detained, Selçuk Kozağaçlı never wavered in his fight for justice. His imprisonment did not shake his determination and belief; on the contrary, it further strengthened the struggle for justice and freedom among many legal professionals.

Selçuk Kozağaçlı’s honorary presidency will clarify and strengthen AED’s path, which is based on the supremacy of law and the commitment to defending human rights. According to Selçuk Kozağaçlı, “Whether defendant or defense counsel, every lawyer in the courtroom is proof that this noble profession does not surrender to fascism, its underground judiciary, or its corrupt law.”

Our resistance against oppression, injustice, and tyranny will continue until victory is achieved!

Marseille, February 16-17, 2024