Support from the Council of Europe to Istanbul Bar Association

Vice-President of Istanbul Bar Association Atty. Nazan Moroğlu sent a letter concerning the amendments on the Turkish Attorneys’ Code regarding the multiple bar system and the changes in the election systems of the bar associations in Turkey to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić. In her letter dated 24 June 2020, Moroğlu  explained that aiming segmenting, destroying, silencing and capturing the bar associations, this amendment will introduce the multiple bar system and it targets changing the perception that bar associations display in terms of protecting the rule of law in their struggle for human rights. Underlining that the bill is opposed by the absolute will of 80 bar associations in Turkey, Moroğlu detailed on the struggle given by the bar associations.

In her letter dated of reply dated 7 July 2020, Secretary General Burić touched upon the fundamental role lawyers and bar associations play in contributing to the protection of human rights and underlined that it is vital to be vigilant in ensuring their independence is fully ensured. Referring to the Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation No. R(2000)21 on the freedom of exercise of the profession of lawyer,  Burić reminded that the protection and promotion of the freedom of exercise of the profession of lawyer without discrimination and without improper interference from the authorities of the public are the key principles underlying the above-mentioned Recommendation. Burić noted that she will continue to follow up with this issue and these amendments to the law will be assessed by the Venice Commission who will adopt an opinion on the issue at its Plenary Session in October this year.

Letter by Atty. Nazan Moroğlu, LL.M. dated 24 June 2020

Letter of Reply by Mrs. Marija Pejčinović Burić dated 7 July 2020