Constitutional law expert Professor İbrahim Kaboğlu has been elected as the new president of the İstanbul Bar Association, following an election held on Sunday at the Haliç Congress Centre. Kaboğlu, who ran as a candidate for the Lawyers for Change Group, won the presidency in a race that saw 12 candidates vying for the position.
Kaboğlu, a prominent figure in Turkish constitutional law and human rights advocacy, has long criticised the İstanbul Bar for what he perceives as its failure to adequately defend fundamental rights, particularly the right to a fair trial. After his victory, he reiterated his commitment to addressing these issues, stating, “We must prioritise human rights and ensure that fair trials are defended at all times.”
Constitutional law expert criticises İstanbul Bar over failure to defend fair trial rights
During his campaign, Kaboğlu paid tribute to the late Tahir Elçi, former president of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, who was assassinated in 2015. Visiting the stand of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) at the Haliç Congress Centre, Kaboğlu recalled his personal connection with Elçi, saying, “Tahir was my student at Dicle Law Faculty, and later we became colleagues and friends. On 5 November 2015, we attended a panel together in Diyarbakır and spent the night discussing how to build a constitutional peace for Turkey.” Kaboğlu reflected on their shared hopes, noting that only weeks after their discussions, Elçi was tragically killed.
Kaboğlu also reaffirmed his belief in the establishment of a “Democratic Republic” in Turkey, which he sees as a continuation of Elçi’s legacy. “Like everyone who defends peace in Turkey, I have embarked on this path. Our promise and debt to Tahir Elçi is to ensure that peace, democracy, and a Democratic Republic prevail in these lands,” he said, expressing his commitment to fighting for collective rights and justice. In response, ÖHD members chanted, “Tahir Elçi is immortal,” showing their support for Kaboğlu’s vision.
The election, which drew widespread attention due to the large number of participating lawyers, saw Kaboğlu’s platform supported by the ÖHD. After the results were announced, members of the ÖHD celebrated with chants of “Jin jiyan azadi” (Woman, life, freedom) and “Rights and law”, marking a significant moment in the bar’s history.
Em bi ser ketin, her bijî ✌🏻 https://t.co/dCmpP6lJwc
— ÖHD İstanbul (@ohd_istanbul) October 20, 2024
Kaboğlu’s victory is seen as a potential turning point for the İstanbul Bar, which he has urged to take a more active role in defending human rights and legal protections in the face of mounting political pressures in Turkey.
In terms of active, registered lawyers, the İstanbul Bar Association is often cited as the largest, with more than 50,000 members, making it one of the biggest in terms of legal professionals under a single jurisdiction.
