TURKEY/Joint Statement: The International Legal Community Condemns the Detention of Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu

The undersigned organizations vehemently condemn the detention of Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu, who is registered with the Adana Bar Association and a member of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), following a police raid on his residence and subsequent arrest at the Çukurova airport in Tarsus.

On the morning of 26 November 2024, authorities executed a raid at Attorney Rişvanoğlu’s home without his presence, as he was traveling by plane. Subsequently, he was detained directly from the Çukurova airport upon his arrival. Notably, the raid was conducted without the presence or oversight of a prosecutor or representative from the Adana Bar Association and was only witnessed by a local community leader. A confidentiality order was promptly issued, and Attorney Rişvanoğlu was subjected to a 24-hour restriction on communication with his defense team, complicating his right to a fair defense.

Attorney Rişvanoğlu’s health remains stable, and there have been no reports of mistreatment. However, the charges against him purportedly relate to membership of a ‘terrorist’ organization, and the circumstances surrounding his detention raise significant concerns regarding adherence to legal norms and human rights.

As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and European Convention on Human Rights, Turkey has an obligation to ensure, inter alia, that no-one is subject to arbitrary arrest or detention.

Furthermore, in accordance with international standards, lawyers must be able to perform all their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; and shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics.

The arrest and detention of Attorney Rişvanoğlu are a clear violation of his human rights, including the right to a fair trial and must cease immediately. His rights must be safeguarded; he must be treated fairly and have full access to his lawyers.

Therefore, the undersigned organizations urge the Turkish authorities to:

1. Release Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu immediately.
2. Immediately and unconditionally ensure that Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu is afforded a fair trial and that his legal rights are fully respected, including access to his legal team and disclosure of the accusations against him.
3. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the rights to due process and access to justice for Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu.
4. Guarantee, in all circumstances, that all lawyers in Turkey are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of reprisals, undue restrictions, or judicial harassment, in compliance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
5. Ensure the rights of persons deprived of their liberty are respected at all times.

The undersigned organizations remind the prosecution office, relevant court and the Turkish authorities that the international community is closely monitoring the treatment of legal professionals in Turkey. The actions taken against Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu not only affect him but also impact the broader perception of justice and rule of law within the country.

The undersigned organisations will observe the ongoing process with strong attention:

• AED-EDL (European Democratic Lawyers)
• Centro di ricerca ed elaborazione per la democrazia
• Syndicat des Avocats pour la Démocratie
• The Law Society of England and Wales
• Consiglio dell’Ordine degli Avvocati di Torino – Italia
• International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
• Legal Team Italia
• VSAN (Association of Social Lawyers in the Netherlands)
• Giuristi Democratici – Italy
• Institut des Droits de l’Homme Barreau de Montpellier
• Lawyers for Lawyers
• Comissió de Defensa de l’Il·lustre Col·legi de l’Advocacia de Barcelona
• European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights (ELDH)
• International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL)
• Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein (RAV e.V.)
• Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V. (VDJ)
• Deutscher Anwaltverein e.V.
• Institut des Droits de L’Homme du Barreau de Bordeaux
• Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
• Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane, Italia
• International Association of Democratic Lawyers
• Basque Country Observatory of Human Rights
• Défense Sans Frontière – Avocats Solidaires
• The Dutch League for Human Rights
• Swiss Democratic Lawyers
• Berlin Bar Association
• Observatoire international des avocats en danger (OIAD)
• Avocats sans frontières
• Asociación Americana de Juristas

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