Date of the report: October 2024
The alternative report by the International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger was recently presented at the 49th session of the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council on Turkey.
This report, already received by the United Nations, highlights in particular the persecution of human rights lawyers in Turkey and the lack of protection by the Turkish authorities, focusing on three main points:
- Mass persecution of lawyers related to their work;
- Torture and other ill-treatment under arrests of lawyers;
- Lack of judicial independence and fair trial guarantees;
In response to these comments, the Observatory’s recommendations have been forceful, highlighting the following:
- Ensure that lawyers in Turkey are able to carry out all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference;
- Release lawyers who have been imprisoned for the legitimate exercise of their profession;
- Transparently investigate incidents of harassment or intimidation of lawyers, torture and ill-treatment claims, with appropriate sanctions against the perpetrators of such actions.
Download the report