Law Society of Ireland joins the CCBE in expressing shock at the death on hunger strike of imprisoned Turkish lawyer
The Society urges the Turkish Government to ensure a fair trial for imprisoned colleagues.
The Law Society of Ireland has joined the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) in expressing shock at the death on hunger strike of imprisoned Turkish lawyer, Ebru Timtik, and urging the Turkish government to ensure a fair trial for her imprisoned colleagues.
President of the Law Society of Ireland, Michele O鈥橞oyle, explains, 鈥淢s Timtik and her colleague, Aytac抬 U虉nsal, were among 18 Turkish lawyers to be sentenced to prison terms for alleged terrorist-related offences. Ms Timtik was sentenced to 13 years and six months and Mr U虉nsal to 10 years and six months.鈥
鈥淔rom the outset of their trial, many incidents occurred that raised concerns about the impartiality and independence of the proceedings. In their fight for a fair trial and better administration of justice in Turkey, Ebru Timtik and Aytac抬 U虉nsal began hunger strikes in early 2020 and, on 5 April 2020, announced their intention to turn their strike into a death fast.鈥
Sadly, Ms Timtik died on 27 August 2020 after almost 240 days of hunger strike. The Law Society of Ireland has joined with the CCBE, a council of representatives of over a million lawyers across Europe, to call on the Turkish authorities to save Aytac抬 U虉nsal, and ensure he receives a fair trial.
On behalf of the Law Society of Ireland, President Michele O鈥橞oyle has signed an open letter to lend support to the cause of the Turkish lawyers.