UN Rapporteur Condemns Turkey’s Imprisonment of Lawyers
On Thursday, the UN’s special rapporteur, Mary Lawlor, criticized Turkey’s ongoing application of counterterrorism laws to imprison human rights lawyers and activists. This action, she insists, breaches international human rights standards. She highlighted the case of nine Turkish lawyers, asserting they were unjustly convicted on dubious terrorism-related charges, which she deems a serious concern for human rights globally.
Case of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association
Among those imprisoned are eight members of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD), who were sentenced to up to 13 years during a trial criticized internationally as unfair. The lawyers were arrested between 2018 and 2019 and face convictions solely under Turkey’s Anti-Terror Law. Their case has garnered significant attention due to its perceived injustice and the questionable evidence used against them.
Turan Canpolat: A Journey of Injustice
Another noteworthy figure is Turan Canpolat, a lawyer from the Malatya Bar Association, imprisoned in 2016 after allegations stemming from coerced client testimony. Despite the collapse of the case against other implicated individuals and retractions of critical testimonies, Canpolat remains incarcerated. His conviction ties to his defense of entities shuttered post-coup, a tactic opponents argue criminalizes legitimate legal practices.
Solitary Confinement and Ongoing Detention
Currently, all nine lawyers are held in high-security prisons, with Canpolat enduring solitary confinement for nearly three years, a situation Lawlor calls “extremely disturbing.” Since assuming her role in 2020, Lawlor has consistently raised alarms about these cases, yet the Turkish government continues to target their advocacy efforts.
Calls for Justice and Compliance
Lawlor emphasized the urgent need for Turkish authorities to comply with international norms for human rights, urging them to ensure fair appeal opportunities for the imprisoned lawyers. “I remain dismayed that the criminalization of their human rights work has not stopped,” she stated, expressing her readiness to engage with Turkey on this critical issue.
Political Climate in Turkey
The Turkish government faces widespread criticism for its employment of vague anti-terror laws to suppress dissent, extending beyond lawyers to encompass journalists and activists alike. Since a 2016 coup attempt, thousands have been detained under flimsy terrorism-related pretenses, often relying on weak evidence like social media interactions.
International Response and Recommendations
Numerous international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned Turkey’s actions as politically charged prosecutions that undermine due process. The European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey at fault in several instances, ruling against it for violating the right to fair trials and engaging in arbitrary detentions.
– UN rapporteur Mary Lawlor condemns Turkey’s use of anti-terror laws. – Nine human rights lawyers, including members of ÇHD, face unjust sentences. – Lawyer Turan Canpolat remains imprisoned due to coerced testimony. – Canpolat in solitary confinement for nearly three years. – Calls for compliance with human rights norms and fair trials.
In summary, the UN special rapporteur Mary Lawlor has expressed grave concerns regarding Turkey’s use of counterterrorism laws to target human rights lawyers, branding their charges as unjust. The continued imprisonment and treatment of these legal advocates underline significant human rights violations that merit international scrutiny and intervention.
Original Source: stockholmcf.org
