International Legal Bodies Condemn Turkey’s Legal Action Against Istanbul Bar as Assault on the Rule of Law

September 08, 2025 – Turkey – 

Twelve prominent international legal and human rights organizations submitted a joint amicus curiae brief to the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, describing the criminal and civil cases against the leadership of the Istanbul Bar Association as a “direct assault” on the independence of the legal profession.

This urgent intervention precedes a second hearing scheduled for September 9 at the Istanbul High Criminal Court. The proceedings involve President İbrahim Kaboğlu and ten board members, who face allegations including “spreading terrorist propaganda” and “publicly disseminating misleading information,” charges punishable by up to 12 years in prison and a ban on political activity. These legal actions were triggered after the Bar issued a statement calling for an independent investigation into the deaths of two Kurdish journalists in Syria—an act squarely within its mandate to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

The international brief emphasizes that these prosecutions violate Turkey’s obligations under international human rights law, especially concerning the independence of lawyers and freedom of expression. The charges depend on overly broad anti-terrorism and “disinformation” laws, which fail to meet international standards of legality, necessity, and proportionality.

Amnesty International, through its deputy regional director Dinushika Dissanayake, condemned the misuse of criminal law to target legal professionals and institutions for performing their professional duty. They warned that such prosecutions send a chilling message that defending human rights could result in severe consequences. Thierry Wickers, President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), warned that this case threatens the very concept of an independent legal profession, a vital pillar of democratic society and the rule of law.

UN experts have also expressed concern, framing the criminalization and dismissal of the Bar’s leadership as a chilling blow to lawyers’ independence. Jurist observers note that a guilty verdict or successful civil action could provoke a cascade of repression across Turkey’s legal community, further eroding legal protections for citizens.

The Istanbul Bar itself has been under sustained pressure, with its leadership removed under Article 77/5 and key figures detained, illustrating a broader pattern of judicial intimidation. Observers highlight that prosecuting a lawyers’ association for advocating human rights sets a dangerous precedent, signaling that dissenting legal voices are vulnerable to state reprisal.

This case underscores a critical moment for Turkey’s legal system. International legal bodies urge the court to uphold international standards by safeguarding the Bar’s independence and dismissing these politically motivated charges. The outcome will resonate beyond Istanbul, affecting the integrity of Turkey’s legal institutions and democratic norms.

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Int’l organizations warn case against İstanbul lawyers’ bar is ‘direct assault’ on legal profession