We have the honour to address you in our capacities as Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; and Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 33/30, 35/11 and 31/3.
In this connection, we would like to bring to the attention of your Excellency’s Government information we have received concerning a number of law decrees adopted during the state of emergency, which could undermine the right of access to justice and jeopardise the right of legal practitioners to carry out their professional activities.
We would also like to refer to the arrest, detention and criminal investigation of a wide number of lawyers, which have taken place since the failed coup attempt of 15 July 2016 and which, if confirmed, constitute serious interferences in the independence of the legal profession.
Diego García-Sayán
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Fionnuala Ní Aoláin
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism