International Commission of Jurists
Turkey: 27 lawyers charged with professional misconduct acquitted

Turkey: 27 lawyers charged with professional misconduct acquitted

Aug 19, 2003 | News

The ICJ is satisfied by the decision of the No. 1 Ankara Heavy Penal Court on 31 October to acquit 27 lawyers who had been charged with professional misconduct under the Turkish Penal Law.
The ICJ had sent a trial observer, Paul Richmond, Barrister of England and Wales, to observe this hearing which had been previously adjourned twice. Mr Richmond observed the earlier proceedings which took place on 9 May and 11 July.

The charge against the lawyers stemmed from their representation of political prisoners at Uluncular prison during a court proceeding in December 2000. It was at this hearing that the lawyers were alleged to have “shouted slogans” at the court and “incited those persons present in the courtroom to resist the gendarmes.” The charge was dismissed on the ground that it was not supported by sufficient evidence. A full report of the 31 October hearing will be available on the ICJ web site shortly. Reports of the first two hearings are currently available.

The ICJ calls upon the Government to implement the Court’s decision immediately and ensure full respect for the UN Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

ICJ condemns “blacklisting” of judges

ICJ condemns “blacklisting” of judges

Aug 18, 2003 | News

In a letter addressed to President Bush, the ICJ expressed its alarm at a directive by Attorney General John Ashcroft to federal prosecutors to report judges who depart from U.S. sentencing guidelines to the Justice Department.

Fair trial for all Guantanamo Bay detainees, particularly appeal rights

Fair trial for all Guantanamo Bay detainees, particularly appeal rights

Jul 24, 2003 | News

JUSTICE (British Section of the ICJ) called on the Attorney General to press for fair trials for all Guantanamo detainees and, in particular, appeal rights to civilian courts as envisaged by international human rights obligations.

JUSTICE welcomes the commitment of the Attorney General to establishing fair trail rights but is concerned that, despite concessions, the current arrangements for the proposed military commissions still fall far short of ensuring a fair trial for detainees according to international human rights standards. In particular, both the US and the UK are parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 14 of the Covenant states that “everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law”. Under the current rules for military commissions, all trials and appeals would be heard by military personnel appointed by the US Department of Defense, and any final appeal would be determined by the US President himself.

In addition, JUSTICE argues that the UK government should meet the costs of the civilian legal representation of the defendants.

Eric Metcalfe, JUSTICE’s Director of Human Rights Policy, said:

“The Attorney General has correctly argued for ‘fair trials that meet recognised principles’. The US must guarantee, as an absolute minimum, that all detainees have a right of appeal to a civilian court and the UK government should press for this until it is granted. The right to independent judicial review lies at the heart of the right to a fair trial.”

United Kingdom-Guantanamo Bay detainees-press release-2003 (text, PDF)

 

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