Istanbul Bar Association speaks out on Instagram

Istanbul Bar Association President Filiz Saraç issued a statement following the blocking of access to Instagram and the inability to access the Constitutional Court's website.

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Istanbul Bar Association speaks out on Instagram

The social media platform Instagram, which was created primarily for sharing photos and status updates but has evolved into one of the most important communication tools of the era, hosting over 2 billion users, has been blocked by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

Following the shutdown of Instagram, a Constitutional Court crisis erupted.

As reactions to the Instagram ban grew, the Constitutional Court announced that it had annulled the powers of the Presidential Communications Directorate that could interfere with freedom of the press and expression. It was emphasized that the decision was taken within the scope of fundamental rights and freedoms that cannot be regulated by Presidential Decree.

The post published on the subject from the Constitutional Court's official social media account was deleted shortly after.

Subsequently, while the Constitutional Court's website became inaccessible, the first statement on the matter was released.

The Constitutional Court (AYM) stated that its website could not be accessed due to high traffic.

Istanbul Bar Association President Filiz Saraç issued a statement regarding the blocking of access to Instagram and the inability to access the Constitutional Court's website.

The statement made by Istanbul Bar Association President Filiz Saraç regarding the access blocks is as follows:

“Blocking access to social network providers where individuals express their opinions and share content is a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression.

The allegation that the Constitutional Court's website is inaccessible because it shared a violation ruling regarding the infringement of freedom of expression is an even more dire situation.

Unfortunately, we start every day with another act of lawlessness. However, we will not refrain from speaking out against or opposing these illegalities.”

Blocking access to social network providers where individuals express their opinions and share content is a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression.
The allegation that the Constitutional Court's website is inaccessible because it shared a violation ruling regarding the infringement of freedom of expression…
— Av. Filiz Saraç (@AvFilizSarac) August 2, 2024