The trial of Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and board members has been postponed until January 2026. Legal leaders and international organizations decry this as an attack on judicial independence and human rights.
Turkey Human Rights Blog
Turkey’s Judiciary Accused of Running a “Trial Marketplace” to Target Istanbul Opposition
Turkey’s judiciary faces mounting corruption claims as opposition voices decry a “trial marketplace.” Allegations of extortion, fabricated evidence, and political manipulation highlight deep systemic decay, with Istanbul’s opposition mayors targeted in what critics call lawfare serving President Erdoğan’s political agenda.
How Turkey’s Legal Guardianship System Turned Against Its Most Vulnerable
The guardianship scandal at the Anatolian Courthouse in Istanbul revealed yet another instance of major judicial corruption. The systematic exploitation of vulnerable citizens, particularly the elderly, suggests collusion among judges and lawyers. Investigations have highlighted systemic failures, inadequate oversight, and a disregard for early warning signs.
Inside the Leviathan: The State Tried to Erase Lawyer Hallaçoğlu — He Fought Back
Ruhi Hallaçoğlu, a Turkish lawyer, became a victim of state oppression following the 2016 coup attempt. He was detained for years under inhumane conditions, with even his legal consultations monitored, yet he continued to fight from his prison cell. He won three cases before the European Court of Human Rights, vindicating his struggle, which should symbolize defiance against the unchecked power of the state.
Turkey’s Post-Coup Crackdown: Nine Years On
Nine years after the declaration of a state of emergency following the controversial coup attempt, official figures show that the Turkish government’s campaign against the Gülen Movement continues relentlessly and has reached an industrial scale
New report reveals the tactics Turkey uses to defy ECHR rulings
A joint comprehensive briefing document released by Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists, and the Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project details how Turkey is openly defying the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and dismantling the last remnants of judicial independence.