The Congress of the FBE expresses its profound concern at the arrest and imprisonment of 36 Turkish lawyers on 22nd November 2011. These arrests and detentions are not compatible with the European Convention of Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory.

The Congress of the FBE calls on the Turkish authorities:
• to guarantee, in all circumstances, the independence of lawyers and the freedom to practice their profession without persecution;
• to free the lawyers and to withdraw the proceedings against them;
• to cease all harassment, threats, intimidation and pressure against lawyers who are exercising their professional duties within the Rule of Law;
• to confirm, their commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, Articles 5 & 6.