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The Ban of the People’s Democratic Party

The undersigned organisations, active in the field of democracy and human rights protection and promotion, are deeply concerned about the ongoing case before the Constitutional Court in Turkey regarding closure of the opposition party Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). HDP was founded on October 15, 2012 and has since been a vital part of political life in Turkey. Our organisations urge the authorities to uphold the right to political representation in Turkey, and to ensure that any proceedings against political parties and their representatives fully comply with international standards for a fair trial, including the right to an independent and impartial tribunal established by law and defence rights.

Following HDP’s final round of written and oral defences, the Constitutional Court is expected to announce its decision in the coming months. Should the Constitutional Court endorse the Chief Public Prosecutor’s request and rule in favour of its demand to close the HDP permanently or partially, or to completely deprive it of treasury aid, HDP will cease to exist. Its representatives who are allegedly responsible for the facts that – in the Chief Public Prosecutor’s opinion – would warrant the party’s dissolution will also be banned from political activity for 5 years.

The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals referred its indictment to the Constitutional Court on June 7, 2021. The indictment requested the dissolution of HDP and banning of 451 party members, including HDP Co-Chairs Mithat Sancar and Pervin Buldan, from politics for 5 years. The words and actions of 69 party members are stated to be the main ground of the demand for closure of the political party. No concrete or reliable evidence attributable to the HDP as an institution was presented in the indictment, and no justification was given for the request for the party’s dissolution, which would violate the right to political representation of over 10% of the voters in the last elections.

Following the preliminary defence presented by the HDP in November 2021, the Chief Public Prosecutor presented its views on the merits to the Constitutional Court, which were notified to the HDP on January 20, 2022. The views on the merits repeat the claims and demands contained in the indictment, without any indication that the Prosecutor’s office took notice of the detailed defence presented by the HDP.

The proceeding takes place against the backdrop of severe democratic and rule of law backsliding in Turkey. Despite constitutional amendments introduced as part of the European Union accession process in the 2000s that made party closures – common in the 1990s – more difficult, the Constitutional Court shut down the Party for a Democratic Society (DTP), a political party preceding the HDP, in 2009. Turkey has been repeatedly condemned in recent years by the European Court of Human Rights for violating the convention. This includes cases regarding the DTP’s closure, HDP and its members, where the Court found the procedures initiated against them to be in violation of the complainants’ rights under the Convention. The Turkish government has consistently failed to comply with ECtHR judgements, which warranted the launch of an infringement procedure against Turkey by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on February 2, 2022.

Repeated statements by ruling party AKP and its ally MHP’s spokespersons, calling for HDP’s closure and for its members to be banned from politics also point to an attempt by the government to undermine the ECtHR’s authority and interfere in proceedings before national courts, including the Constitutional Court, in breach of the principle of judicial independence from other State powers.

Our organisations are deeply concerned about the impact that the Constitutional Court’s decision could have on the defendants’ rights and on political democracy in Turkey. We call on the Constitutional Court to ensure that judicial proceedings take place in full compliance with domestic and international fair trial standards, including the principle of judicial independence and impartiality and the rights of the defence. We also urge the Turkish government to respect the independence and impartiality of the judiciary by refraining from directly or indirectly influencing the Court’s decision, and to uphold the rights to political representation and democratic participation, which are a pre-condition for the respect of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Turkey.

  • Asociación Americana de Juristas (AAJ)
  • Associació Catalana per a la Defensa dels Drets Humans (ACDDH) – Catalonia
  • Asociación Libre de Abogadas y Abogados, (ALA), Madrid
  • Association for Monitoring Equal Rights
  • Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD)
  • Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)
  • Campaign Against Criminalising Communities (CAMPACC)
  • Center of research and elaboration on democracy/Group for international legal intervention (CRED/GIGI)
  • Civic Space Studies Association
  • Confederation of Lawyers of Asia and the Pacific (COLAP)
  • Coordinamento Italiano Sostegno Donne Afghane (CISDA)
  • Democratic Lawyers Association of Bangladesh (DLAB)
  • Demokratische Juristinnen und Juristen Schweiz (DJS)
  • Eskubideak, Basque Country
  • European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
  • European Democratic Lawyers (AED-EDL)
  • General Federation of Trade Unions (UK)
  • Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
  • Human Rights Agenda Association
  • Human Rights Association
  • Human Rights Foundation of Turkey
  • International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
  • Italian Democratic Lawyers / Giuristi Democratici
  • International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)
  • International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
  • KulturForum TürkeiDeutschland e.V.
  • Legal Team, Italy
  • Life-Memory-Freedom Association (Yaşam Bellek Özgürlük)
  • MAF-DAD e.V (Association for Democracy and International Law )
  • National Lawyers Guild International (USA)
  • National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, Philippines (NUPL)
  • People’s Law Office / International
  • Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD)
  • Republikanischer Anwältinnen – und Anwälteverein e.V. (RAV), Germany
  • Rete Jin Italia (Jin Net)
  • Rights Initiative Association
  • Rosa Women’s Association
  • Social Policy, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD)
  • Syndicat des Avocats de France (SAF)
  • Syndicat des Avocats pour la Démocratie, Belgium (le SAD)
  • The Indian Association of lawyers
  • The National Association of Democratic Lawyers, (NADEL), South Africa
  • Transport Salaried Staffs Association
  • Ukrainian Association of Democratic Lawyers
  • Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen (VDJ)
  • Vereniging Sociale Rechtshulp Nederland
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The Invasion of Ukraine

(Français plus en bas)

The AED-EDL denounces the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and wishes to express its solidarity with the Ukrainian lawyers and more generally with the whole population living in Ukraine and all the people suffering the consequences of the conflict.

The military offensive is incompatible with the respect for the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine and is a violation of Articles 2 and 33 of the United Nations Charter, which requires States to settle disputes peacefully, without threat or use of force, in such a way that international peace and security and justice are not endangered.

All States and international organisations must respect the obligations, values, freedoms and fundamental principles set out in the UN Charter, the Statute of the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and all general principles of public international law and international humanitarian law.

The AED-EDL takes note of the decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to suspend, with immediate effect, the Russian Federation’s right of representation in the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly.

The opening of an investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into possible abuses committed during the conflict and the consideration by the International Court of Justice of requests for provisional measures submitted by Ukraine are undeniably a major step forward in favour of the rule of law.

AED-EDL hopes that such reactions will continue wherever conflicts break out and states violate international law, humanitarian law and human rights law.

The AED-EDL, in accordance with the spirit of the United Nations Charter calls for the immediate cessation of all acts of war, to protect the populations involved, and the opening of genuine negotiations to find a lasting peace. 

While more than 1.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine in ten days, the activation of the temporary protection mechanism provided for by Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 is an appropriate but insufficient response to this exceptional situation.

However, AED-EDL regrets that this procedure has not been implemented for previous humanitarian crises, even though they were similar. All refugees must be received with dignity, regardless of their country of origin, their skin colour or the reasons for their departure.

AED-EDL condemns the various statements made by European leaders which consist in establishing two categories of refugees: those who “look like us” and for whom everything should be done to welcome them with dignity, and the others, who are clearly not welcome.

AED-EDL condemns the fact that residents from third countries, who are equally affected by the on-going conflict, are facing racist violence and are blocked at the EU border.

As previous conflicts have repeatedly shown that the outbreak of conflict and war increases the exposure of women and girls to war crimes, in particular all forms of gender-based violence, arbitrary executions, rape and trafficking, ACN urges that effective measures be put in place to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, and to ensure full accountability of those responsible for these crimes.

International humanitarian and human rights law must be respected in the context of armed conflict.

L’INVASION DE L’ UKRAINE

L’AED-EDL dénonce l’invasion de l’Ukraine par la Fédération de Russie et tient à exprimer sa solidarité avec les avocats ukrainiens et plus généralement avec l’ensemble de la population vivant en Ukraine et toutes les personnes qui subissent les conséquences du conflit.

L’offensive militaire est incompatible avec le respect de l’intégrité territoriale et de l’indépendance de l’Ukraine et constitue une violation des articles 2 et 33 de la Charte des Nations Unies, qui impose aux Etats de régler leurs différends pacifiquement, sans recourir à la menace ou à l’emploi de la force, de telle sorte que la paix et la sécurité internationales ainsi que la justice ne soient pas mises en danger.

Tous les Etats et organisations internationales doivent respecter les obligations, valeurs, libertés et principes fondamentaux énoncés dans la Charte des Nations Unies, le Statut du Conseil de l’Europe, la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme et tous les principes généraux du droit international public et du droit international humanitaire.

L’AED-EDL prend acte la décision du Comité des Ministres du Conseil de l’Europe de suspendre, avec effet immédiat, le droit de représentation de la Fédération de Russie au Comité des Ministres et à l’Assemblée parlementaire.

L’ouverture d’une enquête par le Procureur de la Cour Pénale Internationale sur les éventuels abus commis pendant le conflit et l’examen par la Cour Internationale de Justice des demandes de mesures conservatoires présentées par l’Ukraine constituent indéniablement une avancée majeure en faveur de l’Etat de droit.

L’AED-EDL espère que de telles réactions se poursuivront partout où des conflits éclatent et où des Etats violent le droit international, le droit humanitaire et les droits de l’homme.

L’AED, conformément à l’esprit de la Charte des Nations Unies, appelle à la cessation immédiate de tout acte de guerre afin de protéger les populations concernées, et à l’ouverture de véritables négociations pour trouver une paix durable. 

Alors que plus de 1,5 million de réfugiés ont fui l’Ukraine en dix jours, l’activation du mécanisme de protection temporaire prévu par la directive 2001/55/CE du Conseil du 20 juillet 2001 est une réponse appropriée mais insuffisante à cette situation exceptionnelle.

Cependant, l’AED-EDL regrette que cette procédure n’ait pas été mise en œuvre lors des précédentes crises humanitaires, pourtant similaires. Tous les réfugiés doivent être accueillis avec dignité, quels que soient leur pays d’origine, leur couleur de peau ou les raisons de leur départ.

L’AED-EDL condamne les différentes déclarations des dirigeants européens qui consistent à établir deux catégories de réfugiés : ceux qui ” nous ressemblent ” et pour lesquels tout doit être fait pour les accueillir dignement, et les autres, qui ne sont clairement pas les bienvenus.

L’AED-EDL condamne le fait que des résidents de pays tiers, qui sont également affectés par le conflit en cours, soient confrontés à des violences racistes et soient bloqués aux frontières de l’UE.

Les conflits précédents ayant montré à maintes reprises que le déclenchement d’un conflit ou d’une guerre augmente l’exposition des femmes et des filles aux crimes de guerre, en particulier à toutes les formes de violence sexiste, aux exécutions arbitraires, au viol et à la traite des êtres humains, ACN demande instamment que des mesures efficaces soient mises en place pour protéger les femmes et les filles de la violence sexiste et pour garantir que les responsables de ces crimes rendent pleinement compte de leurs actes.

Le droit international humanitaire et les droits de l’homme doivent être respectés dans le contexte des conflits armés.

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The Day of the Endangered Lawyer – Photo post-

Since 2012, the Day of the Endangered Lawyer has been dedicated to colleagues in many countries, who suffer repression for their professional work.

Brussels, 24th of January 2022

Already in 2014, the Day was dedicated to Colombia. Sadly, this year, Colombia is once again the subject of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer.

Berlin, 24th of January 2022

Accordingly, lawyers all over the world, took to the streets and to the web to show their solidarity with their Colombian colleagues.

Ankara, 24th of January 202

During the Day, a letter was handed over to the Colombian Authorities with the demands for protection of Lawyers.

Barcelona, 24th of January 2022

Also a number of webinars and conferences have been held to highlight the plight of our colleagues.

Madrid, 24th of January 2022

Our Colombian colleagues are not alone.

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Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2022- Activities

On the 24th of January, all over Europe and the whole world, lawyers show their solidarity with their fellow colleagues. This year the Day of the Endangered Lawyer is dedicated to Colombia, who suffer manifold repression for their professional work.

BELGIUM :

CCBE with the Association of European Democratic Lawyers (AED, of which the Lawyers’ Union for Democracy (SAD) is a member), Avocats.be, the F.I.D.H., the Institute of Human Rights of the Brussels Bar, and A.S.F. call for a demonstration on 24 January 2022 at 1pm in front of the Colombian Embassy (avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 96 A in Ixelles) in defence of the defence. Wearing a toga is recommended, wearing a mask is mandatory.

CANADA :

The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) will be organizing a webinar on the 24th of January from 17h to 18h Eastern (2-4 Pacific)

FRANCE:

The SAF is organising on January 21st the 7th Meeting with the Montpellier Bar Association around this day.

The Paris Bar is participating in the online conference organised on January 21st by the International obsevatory of lawyers from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm (CET) translated into English, French, Italian and Spanish.

On the 24th of January a rally is organized in Lyon in front of the Colombian Consulate.

GERMANY:

On the 20.01.2022, at 19h00 in Berlin, the RAV, DAV, VDJ, ELDH, BRAK Berlin are organizing an online seminar with the presence of Colombian human rights lawyers Zoraida Pedraza und German Romero

On the 24th of January, the protest will take place in front of the Colombian Embassy in Berlin at 13h00 CET, and organised by RAV, VDJ, BRAK Berlin

ITALY:

On the 24th of January, from 14.30-16.30, the UCPI is organizing a Webinar on the International Day of Endangered Lawyers 2022. You can register here.

MEXICO

The Mexican chapter of the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL), Asociación Mexicana de Abogados del Pueblo (AMAP), will hold a protest in front of the Colombian Embassy in Mexico City (CDMX) on January 22nd at 4pm local time.

THE NETHERLANDS

The Vsan / Aed is organising on the 24th of January, a lawyer manifestation at the Colombian Embassy in The Hague between 1500 and 1700 ,where a petition will be given about the difficult situation of the lawyers in Colombia .

At 16.30 pm – Audience at the Embassy of Columbia: 6 lawyers of the VSAN will be presenting the report on Colombia to the Columbian ambassador Mr. Fernando Grillo

At 17.00 pm – Online-reading organised by Lawyers for Lawyers. Colombian humanrights lawyer Jorge Molano

TURKEY

There will be a demonstration in Istanbul and İzmir.

There will be events inside the courthouses of Antalya and Alanya.
In Antep, the human rights committee of the bar association will publish a statement.

In Adana, together with Adana Bar Association, there will be a press conference.T

SPAIN:

On the 24th January, at 12 pm a demonstration will take place in front of the Social Court (C/ Princesa 3) in Madrid in commemoration of the Massacre of the Atocha Labor Lawyers 45 years ago.

On the 24 January, at 1 pm the demonstration will follow in front of the Colombian Embassy in Madrid (Pº General Martínez Campos, 48) in defense of the defense.

On the 24 January, at 6:30 pm a conference will take place at the General Council of Spanish Lawyers (CGAE – Pº Recoletos 13), with the presence of

  • José Manuel Santos: Colombian Lawyer of the Indigenous Movement, suffering persecutions.
  • Leonardo Jaimes: Colombian Lawyer suffering persecutions.
  • Ángeles Chinarro: President of ALA
  • José Luis Muga: Co-President of AED

SWITZERLAND:

The Geneva Bar Association will be co-organising an event with the IBA and other professional associations from 13:30- 15:00 CET dedicated to the Guidelines for lawyers in support of peaceful assemblies

TAIWAN :

The Judicial Reform Foundation of Taiwan is organizing a seminar on Colombia on Saturday 22 January (Taipei time 18:00-20:00) with a short documentary on the situation of HRDs, and pre-recorded video interviews of 2 rights lawyers from the country. A professor from a Taiwan university familiar with the politics of Colombia will also be joining us to share her observations.

UNITED KINGDOM

On the 20th of January 2021 from 15h00- 16h30, the Law Society of England is organizing a webinar with Dr. Marina Brilman, Dora Lucy Arias, Ana María Rodríguez, Germán Romero Sánchez.

UNITED STATES

The New York City Bar is organizing on the 24th of January at 12:30 pm (EST (Washington D.C./New York time) a webinar.



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COLOMBIA- Day of the Endangered Lawyer

Since 2009, the Day of the Endangered Lawyer has taken place on 24 January in multiple cities, countries, and continents around the globe. 24 January was chosen as the annual International Day of the Endangered Lawyer because on this day in 1977, four lawyers and a co-worker were murdered at their address at Calle Atocha 55 in Madrid, an event that came to be known as the Massacre of Atocha.

The purpose of this international Day is to draw the attention of government officials, international institutions, civil society, the media, and the general public to the situation of lawyers in a particular country, in order to raise awareness about the threats that they face in the exercise of their profession. In past years, this Day has been dedicated to countries including Azerbaijan (2021), Pakistan (2020), Turkey (2019 & 2012), Egypt (2018), China (2017), Honduras (2016), the Philippines (2015), Basque Country/Spain (2013), and Iran (2010).

This year, for the second time, the Day of the Endangered Lawyer focuses on Colombia, where the persecution of human rights lawyers continues, preventing them from freely, independently, and safely practising their profession.

Download the report in English, Spanish, French or Turkish.

Follow the activities on the Day.

See our photo post.

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Defend human rights and the rule of law at Europe’s borders!


Push-backs, violence and inhumane treatment in violation of international law have become a permanent reality at Europe’s borders. They put people seeking protection in danger of their lives, as the deaths at the Polish-Belarusian border have also shown. Refugees are dehumanized by being called a “political weapon” or “a form of hybrid threat” by leading politicians.


We, the undersigned organizations, have been supporting people affected by this border violence for years. We note that the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights are systematically violated at Europe’s borders. EU member states disregard the principle of non-refoulement, a unique humanitarian and legal achievement that guarantees basic individual rights to those seeking protection.


This is not only an attack on the right to asylum and human rights. If lawless zones are accepted, if the rule of law is undermined, then this development also threatens democracy in Europe.


On October 6, a journalistic research collective published further evidence of violent push-backs at the EU’s external borders in Greece and Croatia. Videos and photos show the brutality of special police units.


Push-backs and the violence against those seeking protection are an expression of a policy of deterrence instead of protection – at all costs. The EU and its member states are involved in this form
of illegal border protection financially, logistically and often by deploying forces under the mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex.

The German government supports the Croatian border police with technical and logistical equipment, Poland has been offered similar support. German forces are part of the Frontex operation in Greece.

Berlin: For a fresh start in European refugee policy!

The three coalition parties, which negotiate in working groups since October 27, have made it clear in their exploratory paper: “We are committed to the humanitarian responsibility arising from the German constitution, the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. From this, we derive the task of making efforts with our European partners to end the deaths on the Mediterranean as well as the suffering at Europe’s external borders.”


We welcome this declaration of intent. To translate it into political action, it needs to be specified in the coalition agreement. Only the consistent enforcement of international law at Europe’s borders, safe and regular pathways, a European sea rescue system and the solidary reception of protection seekers
within the EU can end the suffering and death at Europe’s borders

We demand from the future federal government:


●Defend the right to asylum in Europe: access to the asylum procedure, access to the legal system and humane accommodation. No to a Europe of detention, refugee camps and border procedures!


●Defend human dignity, the rule of law and human rights – the very values on which the European Union (EU- Treaty Article 2) is based.


●The initiation of infringement procedures against Poland, Croatia and Greece by the European Commission. We also call on the EU to include human rights violations by Member States in the field of asylum and migration when initiating rule of law procedures in case of serious violations of the values mentioned in Article 2 EU-Treaty.


●The establishment of an independent, transparent and effective human rights monitoring mechanism that allows for unannounced visits to borders and the prosecution of perpetrators. Human rights monitors must have a mandate to secure evidence. The aim must be that this well-funded and well-staffed institution prevents human rights violations in the future.


●The end of any support for the border regime in Poland, Croatia, Greece and other states that violate international law at their borders.


●Firm reactions to human rights violations in Frontex operations: Suspension of funding and deployment of EU border guards in countries that violate international human rights
standards.


●A civilian EU sea rescue program to prevent deaths in the Mediterranean. Boat refugees must be granted humane reception and access to a fair asylum procedure after landing in a safe
European port. Safe and regular pathways to Europe must be created.


●The cooperation with the “Libyan Coast Guard” and the associated ongoing breach of international law in the Mediterranean must be stopped immediately.

Signatories:

European Democratic Lawyers (AED-EDL)

European Center for Constitutional Rights (ECCHR)

Center for Peace Studies

Pro Asyl

Refugee Support Aegean

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Fascist Attack in Rome

On Saturday 9th October, during a demonstration in Rome (Italy) led by exponents of fascist groups, dozens of demonstrators invaded the headquarters of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), one of the largest confederal trade unions in Italy.

This attack recalls the attacks on the Chambers of Labour by fascist squads in 1920, a prelude to the later dictatorship of Mussolini.

The European Democratic Lawyers express their
solidarity with the Italian workers and trade unions for this vile attack, and strongly condemn the subversive groups that carried out this action, including Forza Nuova, a fascist party.

And we express our suport for CGIL.

We shall be united against fascism!

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Observation Mission in Turkey – September 2021

Observation mission on the Human Right’s situation of the Turkish lawyers members of the a ÇHD and the People’s Law Office

Istanbul, 15th to 20th of September

Asociación libre de Abogadas y abogados (ALA)

Report on the Situation

From the 15th to the 20th of September in Istanbul, three ALA lawyers took part in a fact-finding mission to observe the human rights situation of imprisoned Turkish lawyers accused of, among other crimes, terrorism, some of who have been in pre-trial detention for more than five years. These lawyers belong to various progressive lawyers’ associations such as ÇHD, OHD or the People’s Law Office.

The mission consisted of about fifty lawyers from different European associations and collegial institutions. The ALA lawyers are also representatives of AED (European Democratic Lawyers) of which ALA is a member and which is currently co-chaired by a member of our association.  

Download the full report of the ALA- observation mission

Download the full report of the Italian observation mission

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Justice, technology and the right to adversarial proceedings

EN  (FR après l’image)

Paris, 15thOctober 2021

Auditorium Gaston Monnerville, Maison du Barreau – 2 rue de Harlay – 75001 Paris

French/English Translation

LIVE ON ZOOM

A preregistration is in place to avoid spam-attacks. Thank-you

English: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvde6gpz8tE93p3Z-4webNLP9eCP77dX0H

French: hhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvd-qpqj8rHNA9gzVWZf7h2N_mCh0NmgGc

The issue of the use of technology in justice is not new – the intrusion of the scientific police and the use of anthropometric methods dating back to the late 19th century.

But the considerable advances in digital technologies in recent years have led to the systematization of these technologies in the methods of policing and justice. This includes both intelligence methods as opposable evidence and the use of algorithmic data processing as an aid to judges’ decision-making and, in some cases, to replace justice.

The use of these technologies, presented as an inescapable advance in the service of truth, necessarily raises the question of the contradictory and equality of the parties and weapons in litigation.

The aim of the symposium is therefore to confront these technologies with the fundamental principle of the contradictory.

It is also important to us that this symposium can highlight the solutions that lawyers have been able to find, in specific cases, to prevent the use of technology from preventing any conflicting debate.

PROGRAMME

14h00:

Welcome Address

  • Estellia ARAEZ (SAF – President)
  • Berenice BÖHLO (AED / EDL – Copresident) 

14h15:

1/ Introduction: Quick state of affairs in different countries

The implementation of new technologies

  • Volker EICK (political scientist – RAV)

14h30

2/ Justice and algorithmic treatment 

From aiding the decisión of judges to their complete replacement

  • Antoine  GARAPON  (French judge)
  • Guillem SOLER SOLÉ ( Catalan Judge – AGORA judicial)

DEBATE

MODERATOR: Juan PROSPER (Lawyer)

16h00

3/ Evidence presented as indisputable

Medical expertise – (DNA), information – eavesdropping – telephony, access to private data, facial recognition, place of experts and challenge to their quality

  • Guillaume MARTINE (French criminal lawyer)
  • Andreu VAN den EYNDE (Catalan criminal lawyer)

DEBATE

MODERATOR: Angeles CHINARRO PULIDO (Lawyer)

17h00: Coffee Break

17h30:

4/ Virtual audiences, dematerialization

Virtual audiences, anonymous testimonials and other current dematerialization of a fair trial.   

  • M. Buket SOYGUT ARSLAN (Turkish Academic)
  • Fulya EROGLU (Turkish Academic)
  • Christian LICOPPE (Researcher at Telecom Paris)

DEBATE

MODERATOR: Ceren UYSAL (Lawyer).

19h30:

6/ Conclusion: the means of the contradictory

How to ensure equality of arms

Jose Luis MUGA MUÑOZ (AED/EDL – Copresident)

Justice, Technologie et le principe du contradictoire

Paris, 15   Octobre 2021

Auditorium Gaston Monnerville, Maison du Barreau – 2 rue de Harlay – 75001 Paris

Traduction Français – Anglais

LIVE PAR ZOOM

Une préinscription est en place pour éviter les attaques de spam. Merci

Français: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvd-qpqj8rHNA9gzVWZf7h2N_mCh0NmgGc

English: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvde6gpz8tE93p3Z-4webNLP9eCP77dX0H

La question de l’utilisation des technologies dans la justice n’est pas nouvelle – l’irruption de la police scientifique et l’utilisation des méthodes anthropométriques datant de la fin du 19° siècle.

Mais les progrès considérables des technologies numériques ces dernières années entrainent une systématisation de ces technologies dans les méthodes de police et de justice. On pense ainsi tant aux méthodes de renseignement comme preuves opposables que l’utilisation du traitement algorithmique des données comme aide à la décision des juges voire, dans certain cas, pour remplacer la justice.

L’utilisation de ces technologies, présentées comme un progrès inéluctable au service d’une vérité, pose nécessairement la question du contradictoire et de l’égalité des parties et des armes dans les contentieux.

Le colloque a donc pour objectif de confronter ces technologies au principe fondamental du contradictoire.

PROGRAMME

14h00:

Allocution de bienvenue

  • Estellia ARAEZ (SAF – Présidente)
  • Berenice BÖHLO (AED / EDL – Coprésidente) 

14h15:

1/ Situation dans différents pays

La mise en place de nouvelles technologies

  • Volker EICK (RAV)

14h30

2/ Justice et traitement algorithmique

De l’aide à la décision des juges à leur remplacement complet  

  • Antoine GARAPON  (Juge)
  • Guillem SOLER SOLÉ (Juge- AGORA judicial)

DEBAT

MODERATEUR: Juan PROSPER (Avocat)

16h00

3/ Les soi-disant preuves indiscutables

Expertise médicale – (ADN), information – écoute – téléphonie, accès aux données privées, reconnaissance faciale, place des experts et défi à leur qualité

  • M. Guillaume MARTINE (avocat, droit penale)
  • Andreu VAN den EYNDE (Catalan criminal lawyer)

DEBAT

MODERATRICE: Angeles CHINARRO PULIDO (Avocat)

17h00: Pause café

17h30:

4/ Audiences virtuelles, dématérialisation

Audiences virtuelles, témoignages anonymes et dématérialisation du procès équitable.

  • M. Buket SOYGUT ARSLAN (Turkish Academic)
  • Fulya EROGLU (Turkish Academic)
  • Christian LICOPPE,  Chercheur Telecom Paris

DEBAT

MODERATRICE: Ceren UYSAL (Lawyer).

19h30:

6/ Conclusion : les moyens du contradictoire

Comment garantir l’égalité des armes

  • Jose Luis MUGA MUÑOZ (AED/EDL – Coprésident)
Posted on

Press release from Istanbul- Communiqué de Presse

En Français plus en bas de la page

Press release issued by the legal Fact Finding Mission of AED-EDL, taking place in Istanbul from the 15th September to the 20th September, to monitor and observe current mass trials against lawyers in Turkey.

Lawyers from AED–EDL have participated in the Fact Finding Mission in Istanbul from the 15th to the 20th September 2021 together with other represented international organizations, Bar Associations and the CCBE. The aim of the mission has been to monitor and observe mass trials against lawyers in Turkey. The Fact Finding Mission participants observed two hearings of the trial against Selçuk Kozağaçlı’s, Barkın Timtik’s and Oya Aslan, they have visited lawyers detained in Edirne, Kandıra and Silivri maximum security prisons, and have held meetings with the president of the Istanbul Bar Association, members of the defense and other lawyers in Turkey.

Currently, several trials against members of the lawyers’ organization Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği (ÇHD), member of AED – EDL, are taking place, in which 28 criminal defense lawyers are accused of being members of a terrorist group, in violation of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. Some of the defendants have already been convicted and sentenced to heavy prison terms, others are still in pretrial detention.

AED criticizes the fact that our colleagues are convicted or face charges stemming from the performance of their professional activities. Lawyers cannot be identified with their clients’ causes. 

AED condemns the fact that the charges used by the prosecution and the court stem from the extra-professional and private life of lawyers. Being a member of a lawyers’ association or a law firm composed by lawyers assuring the defense of political prisoners, social movements, participating in protests or funerals of clients and colleagues, addressing an international support (…) are used as presumed evidence of the participation in terrorist activities by the prosecution.

AED reaffirms that those non-criminal activities are protected by the rights of freedom of expression and association of lawyers.

The members of the AED-EDL mission have clearly witnessed the fact that the defense did not have access to the original documents used by the prosecutor as evidence and was denied the right to interrogate the secret witnesses. The use of this evidence is void as it constitutes a clear violation of the equality of arms, adversarial proceedings and the principle of contradiction, which are guaranteed by article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The refusal of the prosecution to produce the original documents is to be assimilated to a lack of proof and is enough for the immediate release of all lawyers and the waiver of charges.

AED considers that the Turkish authorities are using the judicial power instrumentally to attack the lawyers and restrain their professional freedom.

Istanbul, 20th of September 2021

Communiqué de presse de la mission d’observations de l’AED-EDL, qui a eu lieu à Istanbul du 15 au 20 septembre, afin d’observer les procès de masse en cours contre les avocats en Turquie.

Des avocats de l’AED-EDL ont participé à la mission d’enquête à Istanbul du 15 au 20 septembre 2021 avec des organisations internationales représentatives de la profession d’avocat, des barreaux et le CCBE. L’objectif de la mission était de suivre et d’observer les procès de masse contre des avocats en Turquie. Les participants à la mission d’observation ont assisté à deux audiences du procès contre Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Barkın Timtik et Oya Aslan. Ils ont rendu visite à des avocats détenus dans les prisons de haute sécurité d’Edirne, Kandıra et Silivri, et ont rencontré le président du Barreau d’Istanbul, des avocats de la défense ainsi que d’autres avocats turcs.

Actuellement, plusieurs procès contre des membres de l’organisation d’avocats Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği (ÇHD), membre de l’AED – EDL ont lieu avec 28 avocats de la défense accusés d’être membres d’un groupe terroriste, en violation des Principes de base des Nations unies relatifs au rôle des avocats. Certains des accusés ont déjà été reconnus coupables et condamnés à de lourdes peines de prison, d’autres sont toujours en détention provisoire.

L’AED dénonce le fait que nos confrères soient condamnés ou fassent l’objet de poursuites en raison de leur exercice professionnel. Les avocats ne peuvent pas être assimilés à leurs clients et aux causes qu’ils défendent.

L’AED condamne le fait que le ministère public et le tribunal utilisent la vie extra-professionnelle et privée des avocats comme des éléments à charges. Le fait d’être membre d’une association d’avocats ou d’un cabinet composé d’avocats assurant la défense de prisonniers politiques et des mouvements sociaux, de participer à des manifestations ou d’assister aux funérailles de clients et de confrères, de signer un appel à un soutien international… ne peuvent être utilisés comme des éléments de preuve d’une participation présumée à des activités terroristes.

L’AED réaffirme le fait que ces activités dépourvues de tout caractère délictuel et criminel sont protégées par le droit à la liberté d’expression et d’association des avocats.

Les membres de la mission AED-EDL ont été témoins du fait que la défense n’a pas eu accès aux documents originaux de la procédure dont les copies sont la base des poursuites par le procureur et ont pu constater l’impossibilité de la défense d’interroger les témoins anonymes. L’utilisation de ces preuves entache de nullité la procédure car elle constitue une violation manifeste de l’égalité des armes, du principe du contradictoire et des droits de la défense garantis par l’article 6 de la Convention européenne de sauvegarde  des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales.

Le refus par les autorités de poursuite de produire les documents originaux doit être assimilé à une absence de preuve et doit conduire à la libération immédiate de tous les avocats ainsi qu’à l’abandon des charges à l’encontre de nos confrères.

L’AED considère que les autorités turques instrumentalisent le pouvoir judiciaire pour s’attaquer à la profession d’avocat et restreindre la liberté professionnelle des avocats.

Istanbul, 20 Septembre 2021