TURKEY: Ebru Timtik, remembering a lawyer who devoted her life to justice
27 August marks another year since the death of Ebru Timtik, a lawyer who died after 238 days on hunger strike to demand a fair trial in Turkey.
Ebru Timtik was part of a group of 18 lawyers who were members of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), which was the subject of relentless legal proceedings. On 20 March 2019, Ms Timtik was sentenced to 13 years in prison for ‘terrorism’, even though she had only been courageously practising her profession as a lawyer. She and her colleagues were convicted after a trial in which fundamental procedural safeguards and the internationally recognised right to a fair trial were ignored.
On 2 January 2020, the lawyer began a hunger strike, quickly followed by lawyer Aytac Ünsal a month later, with the aim of denouncing both the charges that led to their conviction and the failure to respect the fundamental right to a fair trial. On 5 April 2020, they both announced that they would continue their strike until death.
Ebru Timtik passed away on 27 August 2020. She fought her entire life for justice and the rule of law. She demanded a fair trial, which she did not receive. In her honour, various organisations have promoted 14 June as ‘International Fair Trial Day’, and the Ebru Timtik Award has been created for those who defend this principle[1].
Ebru Timtik is a symbol of courage and the defence of the right to a fair trial. Her sacrifice invites us to reflect on the threats to justice in repressive contexts.
Today, the Observatory wishes to honour her memory, which inspires us to continue our commitment to defending lawyers.
