On February 23, 2025, the Istanbul Bar Association held a historic Extraordinary General Assembly in response to illegal investigations and prosecutions initiated against the Bar.
This gathering, which took place at the Golden Horn Congress Center, brought together thousands of lawyers, bar representatives from across Turkey and abroad, unions, civil society organizations,
and legal professionals—all united in defending the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law.
The FBE fully supports our colleagues in Turkey in their fight to protect the fundamental values of the legal profession.
To reaffirm this commitment, FBE 2nd Vice President Rajko Maric personally attended the Assembly in Istanbul, delivering a strong message of solidarity on behalf of the FBE.
His presence underscored our unwavering stance against unjustified legal actions targeting the Istanbul Bar Association and our belief in the essential role of independent lawyers in upholding justice.
Despite adverse weather conditions, bar associations from across Turkey, including from Edirne to Ağrı, along with the President and leadership of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, stood together in a powerful demonstration of unity. Lawyers gathered under the resounding declaration: “We are lawyers, the Bar is us.”
This assembly not only sent a clear response to attempts to undermine the profession but also reinforced hope and determination among all participants.
The FBE commends the Istanbul Bar Association and all those who participated, whether in person or through messages of support, for their dedication to defending the independence of the legal profession.
The FBE remains steadfast in its commitment to defending bar associations under threat, ensuring that lawyers across Europe can continue to practice freely, independently, and in defense of the rule of law.
Please find below the letter from the President of the Istanbul Bar Association, providing further details on this critical situation.
European Bars Federation (FBE)
