ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES LAWYERS' DAY AND 148TH ANNIVERSARY
The Istanbul Bar Association celebrated April 5th Lawyers' Day and its 148th anniversary with a ceremony and march held in Taksim. Following the ceremony at the Republic Monument, lawyers marched along Istiklal Avenue in their robes to reach the Bar Association building.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed, and a wreath was laid at the monument by the President of the Istanbul Bar Association, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kaboğlu. Subsequently, the assembled lawyers began their march, chanting slogans such as "Defense has not remained silent, and will not remain silent" and "Right, Law, Justice."
"We are in Defense" Banner at the Bar Building
As the lawyers reached the Bar Association building, a banner was unfurled reading: "We have been in defense for 148 years for the democratic, secular, social state of law and human rights." The banner was met with long-lasting applause from the participants.
Kaboğlu: “We are also the Guardians of Democracy”
Speaking in front of the building, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kaboğlu emphasized that being a lawyer is not just a profession but also a guarantee of fundamental rights and freedoms.
"An independent bar and a free lawyer exist for the rights and freedoms of all citizens. Therefore, we see Lawyers' Day not just for our colleagues, but as a day of rights and freedoms for the entire society," Kaboğlu stated.
Reminding that there are over 200,000 lawyers in Turkey, Kaboğlu added: “We are the guardians of the secular and democratic Republic based on human rights. We are also the guardians of democracy.”
Celebrations Combined with an International Symposium
The celebrations were not limited to the ceremony and march. Following the “International Symposium on the Right to a Fair Trial and the Right of Defense” held on April 3-4, Lawyers' Day continued with various events. Local and foreign legal experts exchanged ideas on the right to a fair trial. The day concluded with a musical performance.
Law Will Live as Long as Defense Exists
The common message emphasized during the 148th-anniversary events was clear: the independence of the defense and the freedom of lawyers continue to be the safeguard not only of the profession but of the entire society.