In a compelling call for justice, ahead of the hearings for lawyers Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, the Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) and various global organisations urge Turkish authorities to drop all charges and release both immediately. These lawyers face unjust accusations solely for their roles in advocating human rights, mirroring a troubling trend of repression against civil society in Turkey.
On 6 February 2024, chaos erupted at Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse due to an armed attack attributed to alleged members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C). In the chaos, police raided multiple organisations, including the People’s Law Office, resulting in the detention of four ÇHD lawyers, including the cited members, with no credible evidence supporting their connection to illegitimate activities.
Despite the absence of links to any crime, Vangölü and Şaraldı remain in pre-trial detention based on dubious charges of “membership in an illegal organisation”. This tactic, prevalent in Turkey, targets legal defenders and journalists, aiming to intimidate dissenters and undermine the right to defence for those standing against state repression.
As the new hearings approach, the joined efforts of legal organisations reveal a commitment to human rights and call upon Turkish authorities to release all imprisoned human rights defenders. This coordinated message serves as a reminder that the global community is vigilantly watching the situation unfold.
The listed plaintiffs include reputable bodies such as the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), reinforcing solidarity with ÇHD members and other practitioners facing systematic harassment within Turkey. Their collective voice represents a resistance against the shrinking space for civil society advocacy, emphasising the urgent need for justice and accountability.
In advance of the hearings for Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, global organisations urge Turkish authorities to dismiss all charges against them and ensure their immediate release. The lawyers face unjust accusations related to their human rights work, amid wider repression against civil society in Turkey. A recent armed attack led to raids and the detention of ÇHD members, reflecting systemic threats to legal defenders in the country.
The circumstances surrounding the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı highlight the alarming patterns of repression against activists and lawyers in Turkey. As external organisations rally for justice, it is crucial that authorities recognise the global scrutiny on their actions and take meaningful steps towards safeguarding human rights and fair legal practices.
Original Source: www.omct.org
