A court ruling to remove the president and all board members of the Istanbul Bar Association is an attack on the rule of law, the Law Society has warned as popular unrest mounts in Turkey. 

The ruling this week was in retaliation to a statement by the association calling for respect for international humanitarian law after the deaths of two journalists. It represents 'a direct challenge to the independence and functioning of the Istanbul Bar Association that protects justice and people’s rights in Turkey', the Law Society said. 

Following this decision, police arrested several lawyers protesting against it outside the Civil Court of First Instance.

Turkey has been the scene of widespread protests this week following the arrest on corruption charges of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival. Some 1,500 people have been arrested. 

Six lawyers including the former president of the İzmir Bar Association, Özkan Yücel, were detained this week for representing demonstrators under arrest.

Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: 'The actions against the Istanbul Bar Association are simply reprisals for lawyers doing their job protecting justice and democracy in Turkey. Attacks on lawyers, their institutions and their clients is not just about their rights, it is about each and every member of society not being able to access justice when they need it the most.

'We stand with the Istanbul Bar Association and call upon Turkish authorities to cease all actions of intimidation against the legal profession and ensure lawyers are safe to practise without interference. Justice is a fundamental public service that ensures we live in a fair and safe society where everyone can thrive and prosper.'

 

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