INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMPETITION BY EUROPEAN BARS FEDERATION (FBE) IN BERLIN
Hosted by Berlin Bar Association (Rechtsanwaltskammer Berlin), FBE International Young Lawyers’ Human Rights Oratory Competition 2nd Edition was held on September 13, 14, 2019 in Berlin.
Participated by young lawyers under 35 years of age from different jurisdictions in Europe, the competition has been an opportunity for young legal professionals to practice their oratory skills during their presentations on “freedom of speech”. This year’s competition has brought a total number of 18 lawyers from Poland, Spain, Romania, England, France, Italy and Turkey together.
Chaired by Artur Wierzbicki (Poznan), Chair of the Human Rights Commission of FBE, the panel of judges consisted of Sara Chandler (London), Former President of FBE, Monique Stengel (Paris), Treasurer of FBE, Marc Wesser (Berlin), Member of Human Rights Commission of FBE and Atty. Bedia Ayşegül Tansen.
Istanbul Bar Association was successfully represented by Atty. Jülide İpek Hançer. Hançer’s address and presentation on “Freedoms of Speech and Expression within the scope of Freedom of Press in Turkey” was gained appreciation both from the panel of judges and young lawyers participating in the competition. Hançer was selected as one of the 4 best contestants on the first day (Round 1) of the competition, and she was granted the 4th place in the final round on September 14. The first three are as follows: Fatima Oraibi from Antwerp Bar Association (the winner), Sophie Lucas from the Law Society of Westminster&Holborn (2nd place), Ronald Elek from Cluj Bar Association (3rd place).
Chair of the Foreign Relations Center of Istanbul Bar Association Atty. Bedia Ayşegül Tansen Gümüş and Foreign Relations Coordinator of Istanbul Bar Association Ece Basmacı Karalar held talks with the Vice-President of Berlin Bar Association Bilinç Isparta and Board Member of Berlin Bar Association Nezih Yurdakul in order to improve the relations between Istanbul and Berlin Bar Associations, which are sister bar associations, and to organize joint projects.