Istanbul Bar Association launches legal battle against March 8 ban

While calls were being made for the 24th Feminist Night March to be held in Taksim for International Women's Day on March 8, the Beyoğlu District Governorate announced that it had banned all outdoor activities in the district for 24 hours, including meetings, marches, press statements, leaflet distribution, and sit-ins, throughout the day of March 8. With this decision, the organization of events in which women and LGBTI+ individuals were to participate has been prevented.

Following the decision, the Istanbul Bar Association's Center for Women's Rights announced that they had applied to judicial authorities for the cancellation of the ban on the grounds that it is unlawful. In the statement made by the Bar Association, it was stated, "The aforementioned ban decision, which arbitrarily restricts fundamental rights and freedoms, lacks any basis for acceptance and is entirely contrary to the law. In this direction, a lawsuit has been filed today by the Istanbul Bar Association for the cancellation of the administrative act regarding the ban decision, the illegality of which is established."

VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND CALL TO STRUGGLE

The statement also included the following assessments:

"Systematic ban decisions against actions where women and LGBTI+ individuals express their demands for equality and freedom have become routine, and constitutional rights are being violated by the arbitrary decisions of the administration. The systematic banning of the March 8 Feminist Night March and LGBTI+ Pride Marches every year is one of the most striking examples of these violations.

In this context, we invite the authorities to act in accordance with the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms; we announce to the public that we will be the followers of our cancellation lawsuit and that we will continue the struggle for an end to arbitrary bans."

Women's rights defenders and non-governmental organizations also reacted to the decision, stating that constitutional rights must be protected and expressing that they will closely monitor the judicial process. It is awaited with curiosity how the judicial process regarding the Beyoğlu District Governorate's ban will conclude in the coming days.

News Source: 12punto