24.10.2026 17:33
Speaking at the 128th Ordinary General Assembly of the Istanbul Bar Association, President İbrahim Kaboğlu reacted to the investigation and dismissal lawsuit against the bar association's management. Touching on the legal system, Kaboğlu emphasized that lawyers' professional guarantees must be protected. Kaboğlu said, 'Those who come by election can only leave by election.'
Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu made statements at the 128th Ordinary General Assembly held at the Haliç Congress Center. Kaboğlu emphasized the independence of the bar association and made assessments regarding the judicial system.
"COMES BY ELECTION BUT LEAVES BY ELECTION"
Reminding that after the Istanbul Bar Association administration took office it faced an investigation and dismissal case, Kaboğlu stated that the process began with the statement dated 21 December 2024. Expressing that bar associations' defense of the rule of law is a constitutional and professional responsibility, Kaboğlu said that the judicial processes carried out because of this duty also concern the independence of lawyers. Reminding of the meeting attended by approximately 8,000 lawyers on 23 March 2025, Kaboğlu used the statements, "Comes by election but leaves by election."
REMINDED OF ATTACKS AGAINST LAWYERS
Pointing out that in the last two years lawyers have been attacked at police stations, courthouses and during enforcement proceedings, Kaboğlu drew attention to the safety of members of the profession. Reminding of lawyer Hatice Kocaefe, who was killed because of an execution proceeding, Kaboğlu called for the protection of lawyers' personal safety and professional independence. Opposing the identification of lawyers with their clients, Kaboğlu stated that pressures on the defense authority harm the right to a fair trial.
1,500 APPLICATIONS, 60 CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS
Also disclosing figures regarding the Istanbul Bar Association's two-year activities, Kaboğlu stated that the Lawyers' Rights Center handled approximately 1,500 applications, intervened immediately in 450 incidents and filed 60 criminal complaints. He also reported that they intervened in 50 investigation and prosecution processes and carried out visits to detained lawyers. He also said that in the case filed regarding the cameras in the lawyer interview rooms at police stations, the Istanbul 12th Administrative Court issued an annulment decision.
CALL FOR NEW REGULATION FOR LAWYERS
Kaboğlu stated that lawyers' fees should be increased, legal aid allowances raised and economic support provided to young lawyers. Calling for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession, Kaboğlu called for comprehensive regulations to strengthen the right to a fair trial. Also proposing that a special book be prepared for the Istanbul Bar Association's 150th anniversary, Kaboğlu emphasized that protecting the independence of the bar association is the common responsibility of all lawyers. He concluded his speech with the call, "Ideas, cohesion and action for a secular and democratic republic based on human rights."
DEBATE OVER THE TURKISH NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Meanwhile, at the start of the general assembly, the fact that the program included only the phrase "moment of silence" caused objections from some lawyers. Following the application made, the Turkish National Anthem was also added to the program. The decision was met with applause, while the Nationalist Lawyers Group chanted the slogan, "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk."