Veysel Ok, the co-director of MLSA, was awarded the Max Stadler Medal in a ceremony held in Berlin on September 2. The award was presented to Ok in recognition of his efforts to promote freedom of expression and the rule of law in Turkey. The ceremony featured speeches from former German Federal Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and journalist Deniz Yücel.
In his acceptance speech, Ok highlighted the work of MLSA and the current state of freedom of expression in Turkey. He described the award as a call to intensify the struggle to rebuild the rule of law, human rights, and a free democracy in Turkey. "This award is an invitation to a stronger fight to restore the rule of law, human rights, and a free democracy in Turkey," Ok stated.
Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger: Ok and MLSA bring hope in the fight for the rule of law
The ceremony began with a speech by Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, the award’s first recipient and a former German Federal Justice Minister. She emphasized the hope that Veysel Ok and MLSA represent in the battle for the rule of law, noting that this struggle is often waged under challenging conditions. She thanked Ok and MLSA for their continued dedication to this cause.
Yücel: Veysel Ok and MLSA keep human rights on the agenda in Turkey
Deniz Yücel, a journalist from Die Welt who was imprisoned in Turkey in 2017 and later defended by Ok, also spoke at the event. Yücel pointed out that human rights issues in Turkey have largely fallen off the radar in Germany and stressed the importance of bringing attention to the ongoing judicial harassment of journalists in Turkey. He praised Ok and MLSA for their persistent efforts to keep human rights and freedom of expression in the public eye.
Ok: We cannot afford to lose hope
After receiving the award from Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Ok noted that the recognition was not just for his personal achievements but also for MLSA's broader efforts. He emphasized that MLSA, founded in the aftermath of Turkey’s 2016 coup attempt, has been supporting journalists facing violations of their freedom of expression, regardless of their political views. Today, MLSA represents over 200 journalists and human rights activists in legal cases.
Ok remarked on the deteriorating human rights situation in Turkey, calling it a clear indication of the collapse of the rule of law in the country. Despite this bleak outlook, he underscored the determination of lawyers, journalists, writers, and activists to continue their fight for justice and freedom, insisting that "we cannot afford to lose hope."
He dedicated the award to all those in Turkey seeking justice and revitalizing the rule of law, and expressed his gratitude to the MLSA team and his co-director, Barış Altıntaş.
About Veysel Ok
Veysel Ok is a prominent advocate for freedom of expression in Turkey, having represented hundreds of journalists. He is currently facing charges under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for "insulting the judiciary" due to a 2015 interview in which he criticized the lack of judicial independence in Turkey. Ok is also a recipient of the Thomas Dehler Medal and the Index on Censorship award.
About the Max Stadler Medal
The Max Stadler Medal, awarded by the Association of Liberal Jurists in Germany, recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms, and access to justice. The award is named after Dr. Max Josef Stadler, who served as the Parliamentary State Secretary under Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger during her tenure as Federal Justice Minister from 2009 to 2013, and was a long-time member of the German Bundestag.
