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The judicial system under the state of emergency in Turkey

The Judicial System under the State of Emergency in Turkey is an international conference, which will be held on the 14th and 15th of January 2017 in Ankara, at the Ankara Plaza Hotel, Kavaklidere Bestekar Sk. No: 5 06680 Çankaya.

The conference is organized by the:

• European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights, www.eldh.eu
• European Democratic Lawyers, http://www.aeud.org/
• International Association of Democratic Lawyers, http://www.iadllaw.org/newsite/
• The Day of the Endangered Lawyers Foundation, http://dayoftheendangeredlawyer.eu
• Together with the 19 Bar Associtions of the following Turkish cities: Ankara, Adana, Adiyaman, Agn, Antalya, Batman, Bingöl, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Igdir, Kars-Ardahan, Mardin, Mus, Siirt, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Tunceli, Van (some other Bar Associations in Turkey will suport the conference.)
• and judges’ Associations: Democratic Judges, The Syndicat of Judges
• The platform of Lawyers against State of Emergency: The platform of 11 different lawyer group

 

and has the following program

14.01.2017 – SATURDAY

Opening: Bill Bowring, The President of ELDH – Pascale Taelman – The President of EDL-AED

09.30-10.45 The rights, duties and the repression faced by Bar Associations and their members under State of Emergency

Moderator: Mengücek Gazi Çıtırık

Speakers: Ahmet Özmen – The president of Diyarbakır Bar Association, Hakan Canduran – The president of Ankara Bar Association, Polat Balkan– The president of Antalya Bar Association, Veli Küçük – The president of Adana Bar Association, Gürkan Altun – The president of Bursa Bar Association, Robert Sabata – Barcelona Bar Association

11.15 – 13.00 Under the State of Emergency: The guarantee for the independence and impartiality  of Judges

Moderator: İlhan Cihaner / Murat Aydın

Speakers: Orhan Gazi Ertekin, Leyla Tarhan Köksal, Mustafa Karadağ, Ingrid Heinlein

LUNCH (13.00 – 14.00)

14.00 – 15.45 State of Emergency and the Media

Moderator: Gökçer Tahincioğlu

Speakers: Zeynep Yüncüler, Erdem Gül, Cem Gurbetoğlu, Kenan Kırkaya

16.00 – 17.45 Being of a lawyer under the State of Emergency

Moderator: Ayşe Acinikli

Speakers: Selçuk Kozağaçlı – ÇHD, Özgür Erol – ÖHD, Thomas Schmidt – ELDH, Pascale Taelman – AED, Hans Gaasbeek – Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation, Jan Fermon – IADL, Barbara Spinelli – ELDH/GD

15.01.2017 -SUNDAY

09.30 – 10.45: The legislative prerogative under the state of emergency and parliamentary immunity

Moderator: Ali Haydar Hakverdi

Speakers: Meral Danış Beştaş, Şenal Sarıhan, Filiz Kerestecioğlu, İlhan Cihaner, Mithat Sancar

11.00 – 13.00: Practices of Anti-Terror, State of Emergency and State of Siege in Turkey and in the World.

Speakers: Berke Özenç, Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Cihan Aydın, Clemens Lahner – ELDH, Florian Borg – AED

 

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The CHD has been banned in Turkey

Here is the Press statement of our German colleagues from the RAV:

 

On the 11th of November 2016, the Turkish Ministry of Interior, in the context of the state of emergency, has banned 370 organizations and associations in Turkey. It has further set, inter alia, a three-month ban on the freedom of the advocacy for lawyers: the ÇHD (Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği), the lawyers ‘association ÖHD (Özgürlükçü Hukukçular Derneği) and the Mesopotamian lawyers’ association MHD (Mezopotamya Hukukçular Derneği). Their business premises were sealed. In addition, several lawyers were arrested under massive use of force. The government relies on Article 11 of the Exemption Act and justifies the ban with its responsibility for national security.

 

The opposite is the case:

In fact, ÇHD, ÖHD, and MHD are legal associations that have been advocating the enforcement of human and civil rights in Turkey for decades. ÇHD and ÖHD are members of the ‘European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights in the World’ (EJDM / ELDH1). The ÇHD is also, as the RAV, a member of the umbrella organization of European democratic lawyers (EDA / AED). In 2014, the ÇHD was awarded the Kant-Weltbürger-Preis by the Freiburger Kant-Stiftung and the VDJ the Hans-Litten-Prize4 for its commitment to human rights and democracy. They support the rights of minorities, the fight against torture and human rights violations in Turkey, not least through successful complaints to the European Court of Human Rights.

 

With these unlawful attacks on ÇHD, ÖHD and MHD, the Turkish government violates the fundamental right of freedom of association and the basic principles of free advocacy, as they were adopted by the United Nations in 1990 as “Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers”. If lawyers cannot act for the interests of their clients for fear of persecution, there can be no question of the existence of a legal state.

Erdoğan is set to destroy what is left of oppositional civil society in Turkey.

 

 

We strongly condemn these unlawful attacks on our colleagues and demand the immediate release of all imprisoned lawyers and the immediate termination of the state of emergency and the ensuing repression.

 

With the imposition of the state of emergency, following the coup attempt on 15 July 2016, the Turkish government has systematically abolished the rule of law and democracy. With the dismissal of thousands of judges, state officials, teachers and academics, the closure of free media and the arrest of thousands of people, including parliamentary deputies, with the pretext of combating terrorism, Erdoğan’s is making it very clear: It is not about securing, but about abolishing democracy.

 

This can be illustrated by some of the changes, obtained by governmental decrees, with regard to the rights of the defence, after the imposition of the state of exception:

– Accused can be held for up to 5 days in incommunicado detention, thus without right to contact a lawyer

– The accused can be held in custody for 30 days without having to be prosecuted

– Visits of the defenders to their detained clients may be prohibited for a period of up to 6 months

– All discussions between imprisoned accused and their defenders are to be filmed and monitored by the prison staff

– All defence documents can be confiscated, even without judicial decision

– Defenders can be searched in detention during visits of their clients, even physically.

– Law firms can be searched without a search warrant and the documents of the client seized

 

There, where the population is intimidated and silenced by mass-dismissals, prosecution, detention, torture and deprivation of rights, there is no basis for any democracy. There, where lawyers are not allowed to do their work, the state of law is something from the past.

 

The Federal Government cannot close its eyes before this development.

Our solidarity is open to all those who advocate democracy, human rights and freedom in Turkey.

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Another lawyer under threat in Turkey

To: ANTALYA CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

(ANTALYA CUMHURİYET BAŞSAVCILIĞI’NA)

2016/69739 No.

Fax Number: + 90 242 237 11 11 (Turkey)

 

Créteil, Barcelona and Amsterdam, October 24, 2016.

European Democratic Lawyers (AED-EDL) are very concerned about the news that the former director member of ÇHD Antalya – Çağdaş Hukukçular -Progressive Lawyers Association, the advocate Özden SALDIRAN was arrested 9 days ago, on the 15th of October. His home and office were searched. She’s still in police station and has not yet been sent to the courthouse.

Ms. Özden SALDIRAN is suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Without medical care the police custody may endanger her health.

It is clear that Özden Saldıran has no connection with FETÖ. The arrest of lawyer Özden SALDIRAN is another case against lawyers simply because they perform their professional duties. This arrest is part of a pattern of prosecutions for alleged terrorist offenses that the Turkish government brings against its citizens, including journalists, trade unionists, human rights activists, parliamentarians, academics and students who are committed to a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue and freedom of expression.

Since the government started operations giving as their reason the fight against the called Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), it is clear that they are using this as a pretext for oppression of organisations and individuals who have definitely no connection with FETÖ.

ÇHD is our partner in the struggle for the defence of Humans Rights. Since 1974, it has campaigned for respect and defence of human rights and the defence of oppressed peoples in Turkey. This is not the first case of government attacks against the dissidents. The trial of 22 other senior members of ÇHD has been underway since 2013. .

AED-EDL strongly condemns the arrest and detention of lawyer Özden SALDIRAN and demands her immediate release and the end of all unjustified persecution. AED-EDL demands furthermore that the Turkish government respects the professional work and role of lawyers, and complies in particular with Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as Article 16 and 18 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

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Statement regarding the attack on the lawyer Günay Dag

The member of the Istanbul branch of ÇHD, lawyer Günay Dag, was subjected to torture a few days ago by guards of Maltepe juvenile’s prison acting under the orders of the prison governor while visiting one of his clients. His head was rammed against the wall and on the ground and as a result his fingers and head were injured. Afterwards he was dragged out of the prison on the floor.

It is worth remembering that Lawyer Günay Dag had gone to the prison to investigate the alleged torture of child detainees.

Obviously, even if there is a state of emergency (Decree having force of Law concerning the emergency measures – Decree Decision Number: KHK /667) the individuals’ rights must be inviolable (As amended on May 7, 2004; act 5170: Even under these circumstances the individual’s right to life, the integrity of his/her physical and mental existence shall be inviolable….) and the Article 17 of the Turkish Constitution says:

……No one shall be subjected to torture or mal-treatment; no one shall be subjected to penalties or treatment incompatible with human dignity.

It is evident that if lawyers cannot do their jobs in Turkey, it means that more children and more young people will be arrested because of their speech and thoughts and many people will be faced with torture. So this is not just a fight for the lawyers’ rights but is a fight for democracy and freedom, as defined by the case law of the ECHR. Nowadays we are facing a long-running attempt by the Turkish government to stifle human rights activism.

Our organisations work on the base of The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers which have been adopted by the 8th congress of the United Nations in Havana (Cuba) between 27 August and 7 September 1990, which principles contain the following:

Whereas adequate protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which all persons are entitled, be they economic, social and cultural, or civil and political, requires that all persons have effective access to legal services provided by an independent legal profession,

Whereas professional associations of lawyers have a vital role to play in upholding professional standards and ethics, protecting their members from persecution and improper restrictions and infringements, providing legal services to all in need of them, and cooperating with governmental and other institutions in furthering the ends of justice and public interest,

The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, set forth below, which have been formulated to assist Member States in their task of promoting and ensuring the proper role of lawyers, should be respected and taken into account by Governments within the framework of their national legislation and practice and should be brought to the attention of lawyers as well as other persons, such as judges, prosecutors, members of the executive and the legislature, and the public in general. These principles shall also apply, as appropriate, to persons who exercise the functions of lawyers without having the formal status of lawyers.

And establish the following guarantees:

  1. Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.
  2. Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.

Likewise the Recommendation (Council of Europe) No. R(2000)21 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the freedom of exercise of the profession of lawyer sets the minimums of protection that are not being followed by the Turkish State.

As jurists we cannot accept this harassment of our colleague. Sadly, there is a long tradition of attacking the defence in Turkey. We must prevent the development of intimidation against lawyers and humans rights defenders.

This is why, in this situation the AED-EDL, the ELDH and the Foundation of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer condemn the actions against the civil and political rights of its citizens and lawyers occurring in Turkey by way of the use of state powers. And so:

I.- We call on our colleagues, friends, democrats, the chairman of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations and all chairmen and board members of the Bar Associations throughout Turkey to show solidarity with the lawyer Günay Dag.

II.- We demand that the governor and the prison guards must be investigated concerning these facts and prosecuted if necessary.

III.- We call upon the Turkish government to stop these practices against human rights defenders and lawyers.

IV.- Finally, we invite the Union of Bar Associations of Turkey to break its silence regarding the increasing attacks on lawyers and we invite the Istanbul Bar Association to support its member.

Harlem, Créteil, London, 16th October 2016.

 

schermata-2016-10-21-alle-18-04-45

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Le déficit démocratique aujourd’hui en Turquie:

Des autocrates au pouvoir et de la répression.

Dès le 15 juin dernier plus de 40.000 personnes sont en prison, d’entre les 100.000 détenus à cause d’un Coup d’État qui reste une énigme politique de premier ordre. Actuellement on peut dire que :

Il existe une manipulation de tout mass media et la fermeture de maints journaux, radios, télévisons : donc, pas d’opposition médiatique aux consignes antidémocratiques et tyranniques des pouvoirs publics.

Les attaques aux parlementaires et aux maires de l’HDP et (parti Démocratique des Peuples) sont évidents.

Ainsi que les purges de fonctionnaires (3000 licenciés et 40.000 en attente de l’être).

Il existe des groupes paramilitaires et parapoliciers qui commencent à agir de partout.

Les Modifications urgentes du Procès pénal pour empêcher le libre exercice de la défense (s’il existait déjà avant le coup d’État) sont une réalité.

Les procès pénitentiaires ont été modifiés. La torture est très généralisée en prison et en garde-à-vue.

La mort civile des opposants moyennant la « freeze assets » complet qui leur fait impossible de même s’alimenter. Les passeports sont retirés aux suspects et à leurs familles qui deviennent ainsi des otages politiques.

Du point de vue du Droit de la défense la situation s’aggrave de jour en jour. Le Conseil Supérieur des Juges et Procureurs (HSYK) continue a être choisi/élu par le pouvoir exécutif, ce qui suppose un brisement du principe de la division des pouvoirs de l’État. Ce Conseil terrorise les Juges ou Magistrats qui ne suivent pas ses consignes politiques en prenant tout genre de représailles contre eux, en une attaque directe contre l’indépendance du pouvoir judiciaire. Viendra le tour des défendeurs des DH qui ont toujours subit une attention “spéciale” des pouvoirs politiques en Turquie.

Le Magistrats et les Avocats doivent faire face au péril de confrontation civile en Turquie. Le 29 octobre la ÇHD (Association de Avocats Progressistes en Turquie) tiendra une conférence à Izmir avec des associations de Magistrats pour analyser la situation et chercher des complicités qui apparaissaient difficiles auparavant.

Et finalement, les populations kurdes et les minorités nationales, culturelles ou religieuses souffrent de plus en plus et toujours la répression, le meurtre et l’oubli de l’Europe, enfermée dans son bastion aveugle face aux crimes contre l’humanité qui se produisent chaque jour au sud-est et ailleurs en Turquie.

Aussi face à cette situation l’AED condamne les actuations du Gouvernement turc limitant et contre les Droits Civils et politiques de ses citoyens et condamne de même les crimes contre l’Humanité qui se produisent en Turquie sous le paravent des pouvoirs étatiques.

Barcelona, Bruxelles, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, Milano, Bilbao, Amsterdam

10 Octobre 2016

AED/EDL (Avocats Européens Démocrates / European Democratic Lawyers)

Membre adhéré en Turquie: ÇHD – Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği (Association de Avocats Progressistes) / www.chd.org.tr

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Statement on the possible reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey

The right to life is guaranteed by all major international and regional human rights treaties. The European Court of Human Rights has interpreted the right to life as “an inalienable attribute of human beings” and a “supreme value in the international hierarchy of human rights”.[1]

The undersigned organisations believe that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the fostering and protection of human dignity and the gradual development of a global culture of human rights.

The undersigned therefore condemn, in the strongest terms, any attempt to reinstate the death penalty in Turkey.

The undersigned insist on the fact that Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe and a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights. Consequently, Turkey is bound by Protocols 6 and 13 of the Convention which abolish the death penalty. In Turkey, the last execution took place in 1984. The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 2002, and finally abandoned on 7 May 2004. In addition, in 2006, Turkey became the 57th State to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

Therefore, the undersigned call upon the Turkish government to respect its international commitments, reminding them that Turkey has supported the recent World Congress Against the Death penalty held on 21-23 June 2016 in Oslo.

 

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE)

International Association of Lawyers (UIA)

European Bars Federation (FBE)

International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)

European Democratic Lawyers (AED)

 

[1] European Court of Human Rights, Judgment in the case of Streletz, Kessler and Krenz v. Germany, 22 March 2001, in particular paragraphs 72, 85, 87 and 94.

 

—-

Le droit à la vie est garanti par tous les traités internationaux et régionaux importants sur les droits de l’homme. La Cour européenne des droits de l’homme a interprété le droit à la vie comme un « attribut inaliénable de la personne humaine » et « la valeur suprême dans l’échelle des droits de l’homme sur le plan international »[1].

 

Les organisations signataires sont convaincues que l’abolition de la peine de mort contribue au renforcement et à la protection de la dignité humaine et au développement progressif d’une culture mondiale des droits de l’homme.

 

Elles condamnent dès lors, de la manière la plus ferme, toute tentative de rétablir la peine de mort en Turquie.

 

Les organisations signataires insistent fortement sur le fait que la Turquie est membre du Conseil de l’Europe et signataire de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme. Par conséquent, la Turquie est tenue de respecter les Protocoles 6 et 13 de la Convention qui abolissent la peine de mort. La dernière exécution ayant eu lieu en Turquie remonte à 1984. La peine de mort a été abolie pour les crimes de droit commun en 2002, avant d’être finalement abandonnée le 7 mai 2004. Par ailleurs, la Turquie est devenue en 2006, le 57e État à ratifier le deuxième protocole facultatif se rapportant au Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, visant à abolir la peine de mort.

 

Elles appellent le gouvernement turc à respecter ses engagements internationaux et rappelle que la Turquie a soutenu le récent Congrès mondial contre la peine de mort qui s’est tenu à Oslo du 21 au 23 juin 2016.

[1] Arrêt du 22 mars 2001 de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme dans l’affaire Streletz, Kessler et Krenz c. Allemagne, en particulier les paragraphes 72, 85, 87 et 94.

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European Lawyers demand: release MUNİP ERMIS immediately!

The European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) and the European Democratic Lawyers (AED-EDL) are gravely concerned about the news that the Vice President of CHD – Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği – (Progressive Lawyers Association), lawyer Münip Ermiş was taken into custody this morning. His house and his office were searched. His is the one of the names in a search warrant,which includes 26 lawyers.

For many years ÇHD is a member organisation of ELDH and AED and we know Mr. Münip Ermiş very well as an admirable lawyer who has defended many victims of human rights violations in Turkey.

This arrest is part of a pattern of terrorist persecutions that the Turkish government is bringing against its citizens- journalists, trade union members, human rights activists, members of parliament, academics and students who are committed to a peaceful solution of the Kurdish question and to freedom of speech.

Since the government started operations under the reason of their fights against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), it is clear that they are using this as a pretext of oppression of organisations and individuals who have definitely no connection with FETÖ.

ÇHD is an association, which since 1974 has campaigned for the respect and defence of human rights and the defence of oppressed people in Turkey since 1974. ÇHD is an example of the principled and courageous advocacy in Turkey. This is not the first case of government attacks against ÇHD. The trial against 46 other high ranking ÇHD members is pending since 2013. ELDH is utmost concerned that the arrest of lawyer Münip Ermiş is another case against lawyers because they fulfil their professional functions.

ELDH and AED strongly condemn this operation against ÇHD’s Vice president, Münip Ermiş. ELDH and AED demand his immediate release and the end of all unjustified persecution. ELDH and AED demand furthermore that the Turkish government respects the professional work and role of lawyers in particular Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as Art. 16 and 18 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. ELDH and AED offer their solidarity to the Turkish lawyers in their fight human rights and justice under the present Turkish regime.

 

London/Dusseldorf/Barcelona, 8th of September 2016

 

 

 

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Update on Trials in Turkey

A colleague in Istanbul, the lawyer Elvan Olkun, has sent us an update of the trials taking place in Turkey at the moment:

1. Trial of the members of  ÖHD (ÖZGÜRLÜKÇÜ HUKUKÇULAR DERNEĞI – ASSOCIATION OF LAWYERS FOR FREEDOM)

12 lawyers, members of ÖHD (Özgürlükçü Hukukçular Derneği – Association of Lawyers for Freedom) are being tried in front of the 14th Penal Court of Istanbul 14th.

Two of the accused lawyers, Ramazan Demir and Ayşe Acinikli are detained since the 6th of April 2016. There also 38 other accused who are not lawyers. The accused lawyers are : Ramazan Demir, Ayşe Acinikli, Hüseyin Boğatekin, İrfan Araslan, Ayşe Gösterişlioğlu, Tamer Doğan, Mustafa Rüzgar, Sinan Zincir, Raziye Turgut, Ruhşen Mahmutoğlu, Şefik Çelik, Adem Çalişci.

They are accused of being members of the terrorist organization and/or making propaganda for a terrorist organization. The lawyers are accused because of the way they have been conducting their profession.

The next hearing will be heard before 14th Istanbul Penal Court on June 22nd, 2016 at 11.00, at Caglayan Courthouse situated in Sisli District of Istanbul.

It will be the first hearing since the prosecutor submitted his indictment. The purpose of the hearing will be to hear the initial defence of the defendants and submission of their representatives and to determine whether to release the detainees or not.

Ayse Acinikli and Ramazan Demir have been shown as nominees for number of international human rights awards. There have been several international campaigns inviting the authorities to release them but unfortunately they are still imprisoned.

demir&ayse

II) The so-called  KCK Lawyers’ trial

This is one of the biggest trials against lawyers: 46 lawyers are being tried. Some of the lawyers had been detained for long time. During the trials detained lawyers have been released.

Lawyers are accused of being members of terrorist organization. The common point amongst these accused lawyers is that they have all been lawyers of Abdullah Öcalan.

The hearing will take place on the 28th of June 2016 in front of the 19th Istanbul Criminal Court.

The prosecutor and the court seem to be willing to come to an end as soon as possible You can find the summary of the indictment and some previous notes on the trial enclosed to this message.

 

III) ÇHD LAWYERS TRIAL

The president of ÇHD, Selçuk Kozağaçlı, as well as other 8 members of the association are on trial. Nine of the accused lawyers had been detained for long time and then released.

The next hearing of this case will take place on the 5th October 2016 in front of the 23rd Istanbul Criminal Court.

The defence argues that the evidence presented is simply illegal and that the accusation is only based on political grounds. The defence asks the court to follow the origins of this illegal evidence and to remove it from the case file. The defence also asks the Court to interrogate all the witnesses itself, and not authorize different local courts to hear the witnesses.

 

These three trials against lawyers are based on political grounds. The accused lawyers are well known for representing the members of oppositional groups, representing the oppressed, women under threat, workers, students etc. Their work as lawyers disturbs the governing authorities.

 

 

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Letters to Turkey

The AED has sent some letters and is now waiting for an answer!

Here is the text of the letter, addressed to the minister of Justice, the President of the Bar association, the ambassador of France in Turkey and the French minister of foreign affairs:

Le 16 mars 2016, à l’aube, neuf avocats turcs ont été interpellés à Istanbul et placés en garde à vue par la police qui a perquisitionné leurs domiciles ou leurs bureaux.

Il s’agit de Ramazan DEMIR, Iffan ARASAN, Ayse ACINIKLI, Hüsein BOGATEKIN, Sefik CELIK, Adem CALISCI, Ayse BASAR, Tamer DOGAN et Mustafa RÜZGAR.

Ces neuf avocats sont tous membres de l’équipe de Défense de 46 autres avocats turcs poursuivis depuis 2012 dans le cadre d’un procès dit KCK2, pour avoir participé à la défense d’un opposant notoire.

Leur interpellation a eu lieu, sans que les motifs en soient connus, la veille de l’audience du procès KCK2 fixée au 17 mars 2016 et à laquelle ils devaient plaider pour leurs confrères.

Leur maintien en garde à vue les a empêchés de remplir leur mission de défense et le procès a dû être renvoyé au 28 juin 2016.

A l’issue du délai de garde à vue et après 13 heures d’interrogatoires et de plaidoiries, ils ont été relâchés le samedi 19 mars, par décision du tribunal mais contre l’avis du Procureur.

Sur appel du Procureur, le 23 mars un autre juge a estimé fondée leur détention provisoire et décerné un mandat d’arrêt contre 4 d’entre eux.

Deux d’entre eux, Hüssein BOGATEKIN et Ayse BASAR ont été immédiatement interpellés et mis en détention.

Ils ont été libérés par la Cour d’Appel le 1er Avril suivant.

Mais le 6 avril, deux autres avocats étaient interpellés et mis en détention : Ramazan DEMIR et Ayse ACINIKLI.

Nous apprenons que leur appel vient d’être rejeté.

Il semble que les principaux griefs invoqués à l’encontre de ces avocats pour justifier ces mesures, soient liés à leur participation à la défense d’opposants notamment de manifestants du parc de GEZI, au dépôt de requêtes auprès de la CEDH, et à la participation à des conférences internationales, ces agissements constituant le dénigrement de l’Etat et la Nation turcs.

Il apparaît donc que ces avocats sont poursuivis, en totale violation des règles et accords internationaux qui régissent la Profession, pour avoir exercé leur mission de défense et leur liberté de parole et qu’ils sont assimilés à leurs clients, ce qui est inacceptable.

Nous vous rappelons que les pouvoirs publics doivent veiller à ce que les avocats ne soient pas assimilés à leurs clients, ou à la cause de leurs clients, du fait de l’exercice de leurs fonctions.

C’est pourquoi nous vous demandons d’intervenir de toute urgence pour que Ramazan DEMIR et Ayse ACINIKLI soient remis immédiatement en liberté et que soit reconnu et protégé, en TURQUIE, le Droit à la Défense pour tous, fondement d’un procès équitable.

Nous vous remercions de votre réponse à notre demande et vous prions d’agréer, Monsieur le Ministre, l’expression de notre respectueuse considération.