Istanbul Bar Association reacts to investigation: A call for respect for the Constitution and the law

The Istanbul Bar Association has reacted to the launch of a 'terrorist organization' investigation regarding a statement they made concerning the killing of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in Syria. 

In a statement, the Bar's management said, "There is no statement in the declaration made by our Bar that could be associated with 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization' or 'publicly disseminating misleading information to the public'". 

TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC

Following a statement made by our Bar on 21.12.2024, reports have appeared in the press that an investigation has been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Our Bar, in accordance with our Constitution and Articles 76, 95, and 97 of the Attorneys' Law, is tasked with "defending and protecting the rule of law and human rights and making these concepts functional… pic.twitter.com/nfkVRK0HRr

— Istanbul Bar Association (@istbarosu) December 22, 2024

The statement made by the Istanbul Bar Association regarding the matter is as follows:  

"TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC

Following a statement made by our Bar on 21.12.2024, reports have appeared in the press that an investigation has been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Our Bar shared the text in question in accordance with our duty to 'defend and protect the rule of law and human rights and to make these concepts functional,' as required by our Constitution and Articles 76, 95, and 97 of the Attorneys' Law.

There is no statement in the declaration made by our Bar that could be associated with 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization' or 'publicly disseminating misleading information to the public.' In this respect, it is absolutely impossible to establish a direct or indirect link between the accusations reflected in the press, attributed to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and our statement text.

Furthermore, there are no negative expressions or accusations against the Republic of Turkey and its institutions in the statement text.

Our Bar, which always defends human rights and the rule of law, calls on all Constitutional institutions and legal bodies to respect the Constitution, the laws, and the general principles of law, especially procedural rules.

ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION"

News Source: 12punto