MLSA highlights fair trial and freedom of expression issues in Turkey at Ankara workshop
A significant workshop titled "Trial Monitoring, Case Tracking and the Right to a Fair Trial: Turkey and the Middle East & North Africa [MENA] Region" was held in Ankara, prominently featuring the Media and Law Studies Association's (MLSA) participation. Organized by the Citizenship Association, EuroMed Rights, and the Human Rights Association (İHD), the event took place at the Raymar Hotel on Thursday, focusing on critical concerns regarding fair trial rights and freedom of expression in Turkey.
Opening remarks were delivered by Hüseyin Küçükbalan from İHD, Bülent Atamer of the Citizenship Association, and Ramy Salhi from EuroMed Rights. Kerem Altıparmak from the International Commission of Jurists provided an insightful opening address on the state of fair trials in Turkey.
The workshop's "Judicial and Criminal Justice System Findings – II" session was particularly notable for the involvement of MLSA. Semra Pelek, MLSA's Case Monitoring Program Coordinator, presented detailed findings on trial monitoring and case tracking in Turkey, emphasizing the organization's crucial role in highlighting and addressing these issues. Additionally, insights were shared by Khalid Ibrahim from the Gulf Centre for Human Rights on case monitoring in Gulf countries and Baran Kaya from the Civil Space Research Association on student cases and the right to a fair trial. James Onalaja, representing the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, also contributed as a foreign expert on the subject.
The workshop underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between various institutions and organizations to tackle challenges in fair trials and freedom of expression. MLSA's significant contribution to this workshop highlighted the organization's dedication to monitoring and advocating for judicial fairness and free speech in Turkey.
