*/
In solidarity with Turkish lawyers, the Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) has condemned the ‘systemic failure’ of the courts in neglecting to deal with thousands arrested and detained following last year’s aborted coup.
It has written to the President of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Zühtü Arslan, calling on him to address the thousands of cases, including those of lawyers and journalists, pending since Turkey’s abortive coup in July 2016.
Since then, none of the 80,000 cases has been heard or resolved and more than 30,000 people remain in detention.
BHRC argued that the delay breached the defendants’ rights under Art 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
It followed an open letter to Prime Minister, Theresa May, in advance of her meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdo an, in January highlighting the systematic persecution of lawyers and judges and labelling the Turkish government’s actions ‘an egregious attack on democracy’.
BHRC chair Kirsty Brimelow QC said: ‘There appears to be a systemic failure of the courts in Turkey, representing a block to access to justice. Fundamental rights to liberty are being violated.
‘BHRC is acting in solidarity with the lawyers in detention but also in its capacity as lawyers seeking to uphold international human rights law around the world.’
In solidarity with Turkish lawyers, the Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) has condemned the ‘systemic failure’ of the courts in neglecting to deal with thousands arrested and detained following last year’s aborted coup.
It has written to the President of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Zühtü Arslan, calling on him to address the thousands of cases, including those of lawyers and journalists, pending since Turkey’s abortive coup in July 2016.
Since then, none of the 80,000 cases has been heard or resolved and more than 30,000 people remain in detention.
BHRC argued that the delay breached the defendants’ rights under Art 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
It followed an open letter to Prime Minister, Theresa May, in advance of her meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdo an, in January highlighting the systematic persecution of lawyers and judges and labelling the Turkish government’s actions ‘an egregious attack on democracy’.
BHRC chair Kirsty Brimelow QC said: ‘There appears to be a systemic failure of the courts in Turkey, representing a block to access to justice. Fundamental rights to liberty are being violated.
‘BHRC is acting in solidarity with the lawyers in detention but also in its capacity as lawyers seeking to uphold international human rights law around the world.’
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Leading drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow as part of its Giving Back campaign
Girls Human Rights Festival 2025: a global gathering for change
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Desiree Artesi meets Malcolm Bishop KC, the Lord Chief Justice of Tonga, who talks about his new role in the South Pacific and reflects on his career
Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis
Exclusive QA with Henry Dannell
