ISTANBURG, Turkey — Dozens of international legal and human rights groups have united to demand the release of two Turkish attorneys, Naim Eminoğlu and Doğa İncesu, from the Progressive Lawyers Association, whose arrests have stirred international controversy. These lawyers were detained under terrorism charges, which critics argue reflects broader issues of justice and human rights within the country.
The coalition, comprising 38 organizations, issued a public condemnation of the arrests and highlighted the importance of legal protection for attorneys, stressing that their detention was another mark on Turkey’s troubled record of upholding basic human rights norms. The Progressive Lawyers Association, known for its leftist leaning and activism, has been at the forefront of challenging alleged abuses by state authorities, notably within the penal system.
Eminoğlu and İncesu were taken from their homes on the morning of July 2, under the auspices of an ongoing probe by Istanbul prosecutors into terrorism-related activities. Subsequently, they faced the courts, with the authorities pushing for formal arrest warrants based on their affiliations and legal work.
The detentions have drawn sharp criticism, particularly owing to their roles in documenting and exposing conditions in Turkey’s prisons. The lawyers’ recent projects included research into systemic torture and isolation, amid other widespread rights violations and a series of hunger strikes by inmates protestings their conditions.
These arrests are not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern observed in Turkey over the years, where legal professionals often face charges mirroring those of their clients. This tactic, according to critics, hampers the independence of the legal profession and stifles dissent.
Historically, the Progressive Lawyers Association has tackled several controversial issues, including state conduct during the Gezi Park protests of 2013, a mining disaster in 2014 that killed 301 workers, and incidences of torture leading to death in custody. More recently, the organization shed light on violent attacks against Syrian refugees in various Turkish cities, further highlighting their investigative and advocacy efforts in sensitive areas.
In response to the criticism, Turkish authorities have broadly defended their anti-terrorism policies and judicial actions as necessary measures against threats to national security. However, international observers and legal experts have expressed concerns about the sweeping powers and broad interpretations afforded by these anti-terrorism laws, which they argue compromise the fairness and independence of the judicial process.
Adding to the controversy is the broad purge carried out by the Turkish government following the attempted coup in 201experienced 6. The crackdown saw over 4,000 judges and prosecutors dismissed, which critics say has left the judiciary vulnerable to political influence and manipulation. This mass removal included the appointment of newer, less experienced legal professionals, allegedly loyal to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), amplifying fears regarding judicial independence.
These actions, among others, contribute to Turkey’s low ranking in the global indices that measure adherence to the rule of law, with a notable decline observed in recent years. Legal professionals and human rights advocates around the world continue to watch the unfolding situation in Turkey with concern, as each arrest of legal activists or critical voices seems to signal a deeper erosion of freedoms once guaranteed.