25.10.2026 09:00
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu, who is running again for the presidency at the 128th Ordinary General Assembly of the Istanbul Bar Association, drew attention to judicial independence, the rule of law, and the economic problems of lawyers. After Kaboğlu's speech, the slogans "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us" and "Rights, law, justice" rose in the hall.
The 128th Ordinary General Assembly of the Istanbul Bar Association, which has approximately 68,000 registered lawyers, is being held at the Haliç Congress Center on October 24-25. In the elections where incumbent president İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu is running again, a total of 9 candidates are competing.
On the first day of the general assembly, the presidential candidates took the podium and made assessments regarding the future of the bar association, developments in the legal system, and the problems lawyers face. Judicial independence, the right to defense, and lawyers' economic conditions came to the fore in the speeches.
"WHERE THE BAR ASSOCIATION IS ON TRIAL, NO LAWYER IS SAFE"
Speaking at the general assembly, Kaboğlu drew attention to the responsibility of bar associations to protect the rule of law. He stated that the Constitution is a structure that limits political power, while bar associations are structures that institutionally safeguard the right to defense.
Kaboğlu, who also assessed the judicial processes against the Istanbul Bar Association leadership, stated that because it defended the rule of law, the trial of a bar association created a serious issue of safeguards for all lawyers. Kaboğlu emphasized that the independence of the defense profession is a guarantee not only for lawyers but for all citizens who benefit from the right to a fair trial.
"I DID NOT TURN THE BAR ASSOCIATION INTO A POLITICAL COMPETITION ARENA"
Evaluating his two-year presidential term, Kaboğlu said the bar association cannot be run like a political party. Reminding that he had previously served as an academic, member of parliament, and bar association president, Kaboğlu stated that the Istanbul Bar Association is primarily an institution of law, judiciary, and defense.
Arguing that during his term he did not make the bar association part of the competition among political parties, Kaboğlu stated that he would maintain the same approach if re-elected.
Kaboğlu stated that the bar association is the common professional organization of lawyers with different views and that the administration must act with this responsibility.
HE TOUCHED ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES
In his speech, Kaboğlu also touched on the 2017 constitutional amendments and recalled the work he carried out against the amendment at that time. Arguing that Turkey needs a democratic constitution, Kaboğlu said constitutional principles should not be limited by narrow interpretations.
Drawing attention to debates regarding Article 2 of the Constitution, Kaboğlu emphasized the importance of the rule of law, democracy, and protection of fundamental rights. Kaboğlu also responded to criticisms directed at him regarding his legal experience, recalling his academic work in the field of constitutional law.
HE DESCRIBED LAWYERS' ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
Lawyers' economic conditions were also on Kaboğlu's agenda. Kaboğlu, stating that the fees paid to lawyers assigned under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK) are insufficient, announced that they had taken legal initiatives on this issue.
Kaboğlu, expressing that there are significant differences between fees in European countries and practices in Turkey, said payments must be made on time and additional fee arrangements should be introduced in judicial proceedings.
Kaboğlu, calling for trainee lawyers and lawyers in their first five years of the profession to be supported with social state benefits, stated that new legal regulations are needed to strengthen the right to a fair trial.
SLOGANS ROSE IN THE HALL AFTER HIS SPEECH
After Kaboğlu completed his speech, members of the Lawyers Group for Change began chanting slogans.
The slogans "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us" and "Rights, law, justice" echoed in the hall. While Kaboğlu's supporters responded with applause after the speech, the general assembly continued with the speeches of other candidates.
THERE WAS ALSO TENSION AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On the first day of the general assembly, tension arose between different lawyer groups during the candidates' speeches. After the speech of Arife Gökkaya Dinç, the candidate of the Independent Lawyers Group, opposing slogans were chanted when an LGBTI+ flag was unfurled in the hall.
The argument between the groups quickly turned into a physical altercation. Following the incidents, the general assembly proceedings were suspended for about 15 minutes. After the tension subsided, the meeting resumed and the presidential candidates' speeches continued.
THE NEW PRESIDENT WILL BE DETERMINED TODAY
The administration of the Istanbul Bar Association that will serve in the 2026-2028 term will be determined by the elections to be held today.
Lawyers will vote at ballot boxes set up at the Haliç Congress Center to elect the bar association president as well as the management, audit, and disciplinary boards and the delegates to the Union of Turkish Bar Associations.
In the elections, besides incumbent president İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu, former bar association president Ümit Kocasakal and other candidates are also competing. The results are expected to be announced after vote counting is completed.