Ümit Kocasakal is officially a candidate in the Istanbul Bar Association elections

Ahead of the Istanbul Bar Association elections, the Republican Power Union—formed by the 'First Principles Contemporary Lawyers Group', the 'First Lawyer Group', and the 'Istanbul Nationalist Lawyers Group' (İMAG)—announced its joint presidential candidate today at a press conference held at the Istanbul Bar Association's Galata Service Building Culture Center.

The Republican Power Union, which had previously announced its formation, declared that Attorney Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocasakal is their joint candidate for the presidency of the Istanbul Bar Association. At the meeting, where Attorney Ali Gürbüz (previous term presidential candidate of the First Principles Contemporary Lawyers Group), Attorney Elif Görgülü (previous term presidential candidate of the First Lawyer Group), and Attorney Hakan Çatak (previous term presidential candidate of the Istanbul Nationalist Lawyers Group)—all of whom were signatories to the previous declaration—stood alongside Ümit Kocasakal, it was emphasized that the foundation of this union is the Republic's founding values, the rule of law, the supremacy of law, and the goal of strengthening the reputation of the legal profession.

KOCASAKAL: THE HISTORICAL DUTY OF THE ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION…

Speaking at the press conference, Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocasakal said in his statement regarding his candidacy, "Defending the 1923 Republic and its founding values, primarily the unitary structure and the nation-state; intellectual loyalty to the Founding Leader Atatürk; an unshakable belief in the rule of law and the supremacy of law; and defending the function, reputation, and honor of the legal profession is the historical line and duty of the Istanbul Bar Association."

Emphasizing that today the 1923 Republic, the founding values expressed in the unchangeable articles of its Constitution, the rule of law, and fundamental rights and freedoms are under heavy attack, Kocasakal used the following expressions:

"It is seen that the goal behind the 'New Constitution' demand, which is constantly voiced in light of ethnic-based and separatist demands such as the so-called 'Terror-free Turkey', 'common homeland', 'equal citizenship', 'education in the mother tongue', and 'changing the definition of citizenship', is an attempt to establish a new state and regime by eliminating the 1923 Republic and the unitary and nation-state structure expressed in the first four articles of the Constitution."

‘THE RULE OF LAW IS VIRTUALLY INTUBATED’

In his statement, Kocasakal continued his assessments regarding the rule of law and judicial independence as follows:

"Indeed, in an environment where the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms expressed in the Constitution is shown as if it were a favor, and those seeking their rights in peaceful protests are brutally beaten, trying to legitimize the New Constitution initiative with the deception of a so-called 'Libertarian Constitution' goes beyond mocking human intelligence and pushes the boundaries of shame.

The independence of law and the judiciary is trampled upon, and the rule of law is virtually intubated. Investigations where the principle of legality and the presumption of innocence are ignored, where arrest is the rule and freedom is the exception, have turned into a kind of witch hunt, and the Constitution has been suspended. Institutions such as detention, arrest, and judicial control, which have been detached from their purpose and used almost like a weapon, have become a form of social intimidation. However, an investigation bound by strict rules is not a blank check given to prosecutors that they can fill as they wish, nor does anyone in a state of law possess unlimited power and authority.

In an environment where the courts themselves and the Court of Cassation do not comply with the decisions of the Constitutional Court, where investigations and trials are conducted on social and mainstream media and individuals are declared guilty in advance, where politics casts a shadow over judicial processes, and where attempts are made to create evidence by forcing individuals through secret witness and effective remorse provisions, there is no legal security for anyone, nor is there any possibility of speaking of a state of law."

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION?

Drawing attention to the importance of restoring the rule of law for the legal profession, Kocasakal stated:

"Under these conditions, the defense and preservation of founding values, the re-establishment of the rule of law, and the ensuring of judicial independence become the most important professional problem for the lawyer. Because in an environment where the rule of law does not function with all its institutions and rules, it is not possible for the lawyer to fully perform the duty expected of them, to be the guarantor of the right to a fair trial and the rule of law, or to solve professional problems.

Of course, these facts do not eliminate the necessity of working and struggling to solve professional problems, primarily the legitimate expectations of young colleagues. Protecting the Republic, its founding values, the rule of law, and the function and reputation of the legal profession, while effectively dealing with professional problems, are tasks that the Bar Association must perform simultaneously."

KOCASAKAL: THE SILENCE OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS CONSCIOUS…

Criticizing the Istanbul Bar Association administration, Kocasakal made the following assessment in his statement:

"In the face of these open and heavy attacks on the rule of law, the current Istanbul Bar Association administration, which does not let the rhetoric of resistance and struggle fall from its tongue, is virtually playing dead by adopting the silence of the lambs, and in this way, it is damaging the institutional identity and reputation of the Istanbul Bar Association.

Since it is unthinkable for the current management mentality, which opened the founding values to debate with the declaration that the unchangeable provisions of the Constitution could be touched as soon as they were elected, to stand against this new 'opening' process targeting the unitary structure and the nation-state, it is clear that their silence on this matter is a conscious choice. Such an understanding cannot manage the Istanbul Bar Association and cannot stand against threats to the Republic and the rule of law."

‘THE ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION IS FIVE SIZES TOO BIG FOR YOU!’

Reacting harshly to Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral, who recently targeted the Istanbul Bar Association over a banner hung on the bar building that read "LGBTI+ rights are human rights," Ümit Kocasakal said, "First of all, Oktay Saral has greatly overstepped his bounds. You should first look at your own morality and character. The Istanbul Bar Association is five sizes too big and too heavy for you. It seems that some have forgotten the greatness of the Istanbul Bar Association. We know well how to remind them and how to put those who deserve it in their place. I did not hear a sound from the Istanbul Bar Association administration against this disgrace and the targeting."

‘THIS CANDIDACY IS NOT PERSONAL’

Explaining the purpose of the establishment of the Republican Power Union, Kocasakal included the following statements in his explanation:

"So, when the situation and conditions are like this, the purpose of the Republican Power Union, which came together under my presidential candidacy with the response to our call for unity based on protecting the Republic, the indivisible integrity of the country, and the rule of law—which we made months ago by learning lessons from the negative picture brought about by division—is the defense of the 1923 Republic with all its institutions and values, the rule of law, and the function, reputation, and honor of the legal profession.

In short, the foundation of this power union and candidacy is the understanding of defending the law, defending the homeland, and defending the Republic. Therefore, this candidacy is not personal, but a candidacy of a line, an understanding, and a mentality.

Under these difficult conditions, it was not possible for me to refuse the duty requested of me due to my commitment to the Republic, the supremacy of law, and the institutional greatness of the Istanbul Bar Association. What I have done in my previous terms of office is the guarantee of what I will do, and what I have not done is the guarantee of what I will not do."

KOCASAKAL: THE WINNER WILL BE THE REPUBLIC

Stating at the end of his statement that the Republican Power Union is open to everyone who carries similar concerns, Kocasakal concluded his words with the following expressions:

"This power union, formed by three groups that carry similar concerns under the heavy attack to which the Republic and the rule of law are subjected, by coming together for the defense and preservation of the Republic and the law while maintaining their identities and differences, should be taken as an example. It must be underlined once again that this power union is open to everyone who has similar concerns and understanding and will remain open.

As the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said, 'There is a right in the world, and right is superior to might.' Yes, right is always superior to might. Might is temporary; right and justice are permanent. Lawlessness will not go unpunished for anyone. The winner will be the Republic and the law.

With these feelings and thoughts, I offer my most sincere love and respect to all my masters, colleagues, and citizens."

News Source: 12punto